
Glass. 



Book 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT 




Mos!C,\(,C'.,\'y. 



:EX)VVAFyD poL^L.00 



SKETCH BOOK 



OF 



PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



ITS 



PEOPLE AND rrS TRADE. 



ILLUSTRATED 

FROM PHOTOGRAPHS BY A. M. TURNER, PORTSMOUTH. 



BY THE AUTHOR OF f^ 

HISTORICAL AND INDUSTRIAL GUIDE TO PETERSBURG, VA." 
"SKETCH BOOK OF DANVILLE, VA.; ITS MANUFACTURES 
ANB COMMERCE ;" "SKETCH BOOK OF SUFFOLK,VA.; 
ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE," ETC. 



PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

EDWARD POLLOCK, 











Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1886, 

By EDWARD POLLOCK, Portsmouth, Va., 

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C. 



G. W. Purdie & Co., Portsmouth, Va. 




In presenting this volume to the ptiblic, I am fully con- 

sciozis of its many shortcomings. It possesses, hozvever, one 

mspic2ious merit, namely its fidelity to fact — so far as my 

3st endeavors, assisted by the several Committees of the Board 

^ Trade, and others, have been successful in ascertaining it. 

The object of the zvork is to present to the outside world a 
>agmentary narrative of such events as, from time to time, 
ave concurred in framing Portsmouth s noble history; setting 
'orth those peculiar advantages which she now offers to those 
''ho have either capital or talent to invest, and corroborating 
its statements with statistics taken from the official records. 

To the members of the City Council and Board of Trade, 
as also to the City and County officials and all other coadjutors 
who have given m,e their aid — whether in the form, of counsel, 
encotiragement or material support — / now tender my sincere 
thaiiks. 

It is my earnest hope that this hum.ble effort may, prove 
instrumejital in advancing the social and commercial interests 
of Portsmouth and her esteemed people. 

ED WARD POLL O CK. 
Porism,outh, Va., December ist, 1886. 



PORTSMOUTH 

1886 



DESCRIPTIVE. 



INTRODUCTORY. 



THE CITY OF PORTSMOUTH, a port of entry, lies in 
Norfolk County, Virginia, of which it is the Seat of 
Justice. It is conveniently and picturesquely situated 
on the western shore of the Elizabeth River, at the 
point where the Southern Branch empties itself into the Har- 
bor. It is bounded on the North by Swimming Point Creek 
and the suburban village of Lincolnsville ; on the East by the 
Elizabeth River ; on the South by the United States Navy 
Yard ; and on the West by the open country. The area with- 
in its corporate limits is about six hundred and fifty acres, and 
its population about 12,000, of whom two thirds are white and 
the remainder colored. Including the suburbs immediately ad- 
joining its boundaries, the population of Portsmouth is esti- 
mated at nearly 16,000 souls. 

Across the Elizabeth River, and directly opposite the 
northern portion of the town, lies the City of Norfolk, at a dis- 
tance of three-quarters of a mile. Opposite the central and 
southern portions, lies the busy village of Berkley, on the point 



SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



of land formed by the confluence of the Southern and Eastern 
Branches. The social and business intercourse existing be- 
tween the Sister Cities, and the intermediate Village of 
Berkley, is most intimate, and is maintained by steam ferry- 
boats, which ply continuously during the day and up to midnight, 
after which hour "foot-boats" can be procured at any of the 
wharves at either side of the river until 5 a. m., when the ferry 
service is resumed. 

Fort Woods, a remnant of the original pine "forest that 
once clothed this whole district, and the extensive ornamental 
grounds surrounding the U. S. Naval Hospital, are situated 
about two hundred yards to the northward of the City limits. 
This is the property of the Federal Government, and is a favorite 
resort of all classes of citizens, answering all the purposes, 
but without cost to the municipality, of a beautiful public park, 
surrounded on three sides by a substantial ■ sea-wall which is 
washed, at high tide, by the miniature waves of the Harbor. 

Portsmouth has a deep-water frontage of nearly a mile in 
length, and the river which flows past its wharves has a natural 
channel of sufiicient depth to float vessels of the very largest 
class. For accurate information regarding the geography and 
topography of the City and its environs, reference is made to 
the map and chart specially prepared for this volume, and both 
copied from official drawings. 

Treating Portsmouth and Norfolk as a common sea-port, 
it is the terminus of no less than eight railroads, which branch 
out in all directions and afford easy communication with the 
most remote parts of the country ; eleven steamship and steam- 
boat lines, giving access to all ports on the Atlantic seaboard 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 



and to foreign markets ; and two canals, which connect this 
harbor with the great Sounds of Eastern Virginia and North 
CaroHna, and the whole system of internal navigation 

The City of Portsmouth is fair to look upon — fairer than 
most sea-port towns in this or any country — presenting an air 
of health, comfort and cleanliness which is well sustained by 
statistical facts. It comprises Portsmouth proper, Gosport and 
Newtown, the whole being under the same municipal govern- 
ment. It is regularly laid out in broad, equidistant streets, 
ranging almost evenly with the cardinal points of the compass. 
The principal thoroughfares are well paved ; the public build- 
ings, churches, stores, warehouses and residences are handsome 
and well kept ; shade-trees of varied foliage line the sidewalks 
and are planted in rows down the middle of the broader av- 
enues ; the streets are well lighted with gas and the principal 
wharves with electric lights ; and its harbor is perhaps the finest 
and most picturesque on the coast of North America. 

" The markets," says an eminent physician, now deceased, 
after fifteen years of successful practice in the City, " through 
the Summer, are abundantly supplied with fruits, vegetables, 
and fish of various kinds. In no place can these indispensable 
articles of food be had of better quality, and the prices at which 
they are sold are so reasonable as to put them within the reach 
of all. A man must be poor indeed who wants for a sufficiency 
of good, nutritious food at any season of the year." 

The surrounding country is flat, with rich, deep and very 
fertile soil, and embraces the great " trucking " area for which 
this section and seaport have long been famous. Three milliou 
dollars' worth of fruits, berries, and early vegetables are shipped 



8 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

annually from our wharves, a'ffording lucrative employment to 
numbers of laborers in excess of our own resident population, 
while beyond these cultivated lands, and far away to the south- 
ward, stretch those vast forests of pine, oak and juniper, whose 
enormous and almost inexhaustible products in lumber and 
naval stores have spread the fame of Virginia to the most dis- 
tant markets of the world. 

In addition to the great trucking and lumber interests, 
which may be regarded as of a comparatively local character, 
enormous quantities of cotton reach us during the Fall and 
Winter, for shipment to the various domestic and foreign points 
of consumption. Indeed, the advantages enjoyed by this port 
are so conspicuous that it has become, within the last few years, 
the second in rank among the cotton-ports of the United States 
as to its receipts, and the third as to its direct exports. 

Above and below the City, tracts of land now under culti- 
vation, with splendid water frontages, offer unsurpassed oppor- 
tunities for the profitable employment of capital and brains in 
industrial enterprises of almost any kind, being eminently suited 
for the easy and inexpensive shipment of products to all points, 
either by land or water. 

With cheap land, low taxes, an equable climate, a central 
position on the Atlantic seaboard, and removed by only an incon- 
siderable distance from the very sources whence the great manu- 
facturing interests of the North draw their principal supplies, 
Portsmouth offers prospects and facilities to the capitalist such as 
few localities in the United States can justly present, as a careful 
perusal of this little volume to its end — based, as its statements are, 
upon official facts and figures exclusively — will fully demonstrate. 



ITS PKOPLK AND ITS TRADE. 



CIEOCIRAPHICAL 



Norfolk County, of which the City of Portsmouth is the 
County Seat, is about 32 miles in length — running North and 
South — and has a mean width of 17 miles, thus covering an area 







COURT HOUSE AND CLERK'S OFFICE. 

of over 500 square miles. It is bounded on the North by the 
Elizabeth River, Hampton Roads and Lynnhaven Bay ; on the 
East by Princess Anne County ; on the West by Nansemond 
County; and on the South by the boundary line of North Carolina. 



lO SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



Portsmouth, in conjunction with Norfolk, forms the princi- 
pal sea-port of Virginia. It lies in latitude 36° 50' North, and 
longitude 76° 19' West, about 25 miles North of the boundary- 
line of Virginia and North Carolina. Its distance from Boston, 
by sea, is 600 miles ; from New York, by sea, 300 ; from Phil- 
adelphia, by sea, 270; from Washington, by water, 230 and by 
railroad 190; from Baltimore, 180; from Richmond, by water, 
140 and by railroad 106; from Petersburg, 84; from Lynch- 
burg, 202; from the Blue Ridge Mountains, 220; from Wil- 
mington, N. C, 240; from Charleston, S. C, 350; and from 
the Mississippi River, about 700 miles. It is distant from the 
Atlantic Ocean 17 miles by land, and 35 by water, and only 
eight miles from Hampton Roads; which is thus officially de- 
scribed in the United States Coast Survey: 

" Hampton Roadstead is formed by the confluence of the James, Nanse- 
mond and Elizabeth Rivers, and is bounded on the north by Old Point 
Comfort and the Hampton shore to Newport's News ; on the east by a line 
drawn from Old Point Comfort Lighthouse to the Rip Raps, and continued 
to the west end of Willoughby bank; on the south by Willoughby Bay 
and Seawell's Point Spit ; and on the southwest and west by a line drawn 
from Seawell's Point to Newport's News Point. Between these limits the 
Roads are about four miles long, with a depth of from four to fifteen fath- 
oms and excellent holding ground. At the eastern boundary the anchor- 
age is three-quarters of a mile wide, and gradually widens towards the 
southwestward until abreast of the western end of Hampton Bar, where it 
is a mile and three-eights wide between the lines of three fathoms." 

Our spacious harbor is always open, is approached by a 
channel 28 feet deep, and affords ample sea-room for any pos- 
sible demand upon its capacity. Its position, almost midway 
between the northern and southern extremities of the Atlantic 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. II 



seaboard, and its comparative exemption alike from the annual 
ice-blockades to which the northern harbors are subject, and 
the reefs and sand-bars common to all the more southern 
ports, proclaim it at once the great natural outlet for the pro- 
duce of those sections lying to the South and West of us. Its 
favorable situation, moreover, has not escaped the attention oi 
practical and intelligent enterprise, and the Genius of Man has 
developed Nature's liberal provision, by converting this vast 
maritime station into a great railroad centre also, thus securing 
rapid and direct transportation to all points, by land or sea. 
Our many steamboat lines and local railroads give us easy and 
delightful access to the numerous towns and watering-places on 
the coast and along the rivers whose waters find egress to the 
Ocean through the Capes of Virginia. 

AGRICULTURAL. 

The back-country tributary to Portsmouth is liberally wa- 
tered and its soil exceedingly prolific. Marl underlies much of 
the land, which is susceptible of the highest cultivation and is 
easily worked at all seasons of the year. The climate is mild 
and moist, and all the fruits, vegetables and grains of the United 
States, with the exception of a few of the semi-tropical fruits, 
can be grown here successfully and profitably. Along the coast 
of Eastern Virginia and North Carolina, numerous sounds and 
inlets, well supplied with fish and oysters, not only afford thor- 
ough drainage, but also supply the cheapest and readiest means 
of transporting products to the point of final shipment. 

"Trucking," or market-gardening, is pursued here on a 
very large scale and with great success. From this immediate 



SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH. VA. 



neighborhood — that is, from within a radius of 15 miles — $3,- 
000,000 worth of farm produce is shipped annually. Immense 
quantities of early fruits and vegetables are sent to the north- 
ern and western markets, where high prices are obtained. Our 
shipping facilities are so excellent that products can now be laid 
down in New York 1 5 hours after leaving our wharves. Vegeta- 
tion of all kinds is from four to six weeks earlier here than in 
New Jersey, and our railroads and transportation lines are taxed 
to their utmost capacity, during the trucking season, in supply- 
ing the ever-increasing demand upon our agricultural resources. 
Thousands of men, women and children find remunerative em- 
ployment in gathering these crops and preparing them for ship- 
ment, as many as 1200 or 1500 hands being sometimes engaged 
on one farm, at the same time, picking strawberries alone. 

In this connection, it may be well here to call attention to 
the fact — which, for some inscrutable reason, appears to have 
been hitherto overlooked — that Portsmouth offers a magnifi- 
cent opening for a large and well-equipped canning establish- 
ment. This is, par excellence, the market-garden of the United 
States — nay, of the whole world — and it frequently happens 
that, after the first urgent demand from the distant markets has 
been satisfied, fruits, berries, tomatoes, asparagus, onions, 
peas, beans, and other products suitable for canning, bot- 
tling and preserving, can be had for the mere trouble 
and expense of gathering, and in such profusion as would 
seem almost incredible to those who have not themselves wit- 
nessed the vast scale on which the trucking business is con- 
ducted. Under these conditions, it will be seen that energy, 
experience and judicious management, together with a compar- 



14 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA, 

atively small capital, ought to insure complete success to such 
an enterprise. 

Good land is still cheap and abundant, although its ten- 
dency in price is upward. The great Dismal Swamp will 
one day be reclaimed and under successful cultivation. It 
stands at a sufficient elevation above tidewater to render its 
drainage a matter of no great difficulty, and those portions 
of it which have been brought under the plow yield from sixty 
to eighty bushels of corn to the acre, and hay in proportion. 

SANITARY. 

The climate of Portsmouth and its neighborhood is good, 
and, during some months of the year, even bracing, owing to 
the prevalence of the sea breezes. Its geographical position 
exempts it almost entirely from those extremes of cold and heat 
which are found to be so pernicious in less favored latitudes. 
In his report to the Mayor for the year ending June 30th, 1886, 
the President of the Board of Health officially mentions the 
rate of mortality as 22.916 for the whole population, and the 
proportions assigned to the two races are as follows : white, 
19.125; colored, 30.500. That active measures, pointing to the 
improvement of the public health and the counteraction of ma- 
larious and other unwholesome influences, constantly engage 
the attention of the proper officials, is shown by the following 
extract from the same report : 

" The Board of Health has been diligent in using all proper means for 
the preservation of the public health. Public and private nuisances have 
not only been abated, but, as far as possible, they have been remedied. 
* * * Marshes have been drained, low lots filled up, as far as 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 



15 



dirt has been available, and no effort spared to put and keep the City in as 
clean a condition as possible." 

Epidemic disease is almost unknown here, the first, last 
and only instance on record being- the visitation of the yellow 
fever which was imported from the West Indies in the Summer 
of 1855 and prevailed for several months. 




HIGH STREET, LOOKING EAST. ■ 

The water supply, which is always wholesome and usually 
abundant, is obtained from wells and cisterns. This will shortly 
be supplemented, however, by a regular system of pipes, which, 
when completed, will insure the City from the discomforts incident 
to a protracted drought. Twelve miles of pipes have already 
been laid in the streets, with fire-plugs at every second corner. 



SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



Se^BO^^^D •:• ;?I]D •:-^0:^l]O^E 



RAILROAD. 
SHORT LINE 



T Q 



All Points North and South. 

CONNECTS at Portsmouth with Rail and Water 
Lines for all points North and West, and at 

Weldon with Seaboard Air-Line and Atlantic 

Coast Line for Florida and the South. Connects also 
with the Albemarle Steam Navigation Company at 
Franklin for Eastern North Carolina and at Suffolk 
with the Norfolk and Western Railroad for the West. 



DOUBLE DAILY PASSENGER SERVICE. 

J. W. BROWN, O. V. SMITH. J. F. MAUPIN, 

General Ticket Agent. General Claim Agent. Agent. 

L. T. MYERS, J. S. Bl^OWiySg, 

Superintendent Transpoiiatio?!. Master Transpcniation. 

General Offices: Portsmoutli, Va- 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 



17 



The proximity of Old Point Comfort, Ocean View and 
Virginia Beach, either of which can be reached in an hour or 
so, renders even the hottest summer weather tolerable, by rea- 
son of the excellent surf bathing and the pure ocean breezes 
always to be had there ; while the absence of the searching 
north-east winds, so trying, even to the healthy, in the local- 
ities where they are felt, constitutes Portsmouth an excellent 
sanatorium for invalids during the winter months. 




FREIGHT WAREHOUSES OF SEABOARD & ROANOKE RAILROAD, WITH 
OLD DOMINION STEAMSHIP CO.'S S. S. "ROANOKE," AT WHARF. 

The statement is made by the Health Officer of the City, 
in his last annual report, dated July 15th, 1886, that — 

" With two exceptions there is not a foreign city of the fifty 
examined that has as low a death rate among the whites as this 
city, and very few of the American cities any lower." 

He states further that 50 per cent, of the deaths among the 
colored population occurred from "causes unascertained," and 
adds: "This last is a significant fact, showing that one-half 
of the colored people die in this city without medical attention." 



l8 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



FINANCIAL. 

The prudent and practical business man, who, for any rea- 
son, chmatic or otherwise, may desire to change his place of 
residence or the base of his commercial or industrial operations, 
will naturally be influenced to a great extent by the questions 
of public debt, taxation, and other matters affecting the finan- 
cial conditiortoof his prospective new home. For the informa- 
tion of such as he, the following figures, taken from the City 
Treasurer's official report for the year ending June 30th, 1886, 
are given : The total receipts, exclusive of the paving account, 
were $95,520.25; last year's balance $17,419.38; total $112,- 
939-63- The disbursements on account of all public expenses, 
except paving, were $94,533.12; leaving a balance on hand of 
$18,406.51. The receipts on Paving Account were: proceeds 
of sale of bonds and interest $34,081.07; last year's balance 
$545.27; total $34,626.34. Disbursements: Paving and gra- 
ding streets and interest $9,129.57 ; leaving a balance on hand 
of $25,496.77. The assessment fund for the redemption of 
paving bonds amounted to $5,412.51, which, with last year's 
balance of $4,231.38, leaves on hand the sum of $9,643.89. 

The total bonded debt of the City is $414,700, an increase 
during the year of $31,500. "This increase of the debt," says 
the Mayor in his Annual Message to the City Council, " is in- 
significant when we note the large sums which have been ex- 
pended in material and lasting improvements for the benefit of 
ourselves and for posterity." 

The message further says: " All obligations have been 
promptly met at maturity" ; and congratulates the City Coun- 
cil upon having " been enabled to reduce the tax on real estate 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 



rp 



and personal property twenty cents on the hundred dollars val- 
uation, the tax being now one dollar and thirty-five cents, as 
against one dollar and fifty-five cents last year." 

The bonded debt above mentioned represents the sole in- 
debtedness of the City. Of the total amount of $414,700, nearly 




UNITED STATES NAVAL HOSPITAL. 

half has been incurred within the last seven years, for the pur- 
pose of grading and paving the" streets, and two-thirds of the 
sum so invested is assessed directly to the owners of the pro- 
perty on the streets so improved. The assets of the City are 
stated in the Auditor's report for the fiscal year to be $284,- 
974.68, represented by real property, leaving a balance, to the 
debit of the City, of $129,725.32. This statement, when taken 



i6 



SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



BALTIMORE STEAM PACKET COMPANY 



QUICKEST PASSENGER AND FREIGHT ROUTE 

BETWEEN THE 




-- -=1^::*- 






Passenger Steamers leave daily, Sundays excepted, from Portsmouth 
at 5:45 and Norfolk at 6:30 P. M., touching at Old Point. Close connec- 
tion made at Baltimore with FAST EXPRESS FOR PHILADELPHIA 
AND NEW YORK, in ample time to connect with all Sound lines of 
steamers and all lines for Boston and the East. Close connection also made 
at Baltimore for Washington and the West, 

coMiESDiiTEft?StrSSMiin?noi 

Leaving New York from Desbrosses and Courtlandt Street ferries, trains 
connect with steamer at Canton. Steamers leave Baltimore from Union 
Dock at 7 P. M., and from Canton M'harf at 8:45 P. M. 

For further infoi"mation, apply to 

L. W. THOMAS, Agent, Portsmouth, Va. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 2t 



in conjunction with the report of the Commissioner of Revenue, 
showing the taxable vakies of the City to be $3,81 1,759, at once 
places Portsmouth, financially, in the front rank among the 
Cities of the South'. 

The Annual Report of the Commissioner of Revenue 
places the assessed value of real estate in the City at $3,436,590, 
and of personal property at $375,169, making a total of $3,811,- 
759. The general tax assessed was $51,459.05, and the school 
tax, $8,889.02, while the licenses amounted to $13,489.04. 

From the above showing, it will be patent to every one 
familiar with municipal affairs that Portsmouth enjoys an excep- 
tional degree of financial soundness, and that her interests are 
in the hands of able, conscientious and trustworthy officials, 
under whose management an ever-increasing improvement may 
confidently be looked for in the future. 

VARIOUS. 

It may not be out of place to say a few words here about 
the morale and general condition of the City in regard to mat- 
ters not above specified. 

The Fire Department, for instance, is in a first-class con- 
dition, having recently been furnished with a new engine, hose 
carriage, harness, &c., all of the most approved pattern, making 
it second to none in Virginia for quick and efficient service. 
During the year ending June 30, 1886, the Department was 
called to only eight alarms, and the total losses from the same 
amounted to $159.75, 

There are three handsome, commodious and well furnished 
buildings devoted to the various public schools of the City, two 
of which form the subjects of our illustrations. They are all 



I'l SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

equally good and very much alike in architectural design. Two 
of these are in Portsmouth proper, one for white, the other for 
colored children, and the third, for white children, is in New- 
town. The number of separate schools occupying these build- 
ings is 19, and the total value of school property in the City is 
$45,000. The monthly pay roll of teachers amounts to $990, 
in salaries ranging from $120 to $40. 

The Almshouse of the City is situated on a farm at a short 
distance from the corporate limits. The Superintendent, in his 
report for the year ending June 30th, 1886, says: "The 
monthly average of inmates for the last year has been 19, an 
increase of one over the year 1885. There have been issued 
6,935 rations. % % -^ T\i^ farm produced last year 
an abundant supply of corn, fodder and vegetables of all kinds 
for the use of the place, and I have enough of last year's corn 
and fodder to carry me through until I gather in the crops." 

The Chief of Police reports 733 arrests during the year, 
or an average of two per day, nearly all of which were for trivial 
offences, and claims that " the police force, as at present consti- 
tuted, will compare favorably in moral qualifications and phy- 
sical ability with that of any city in the Union." 

It will therefore be admitted by the candid reader that 
with an efficient Fire Department, a capable Police Force, an 
excellent system of Public Schools, and little or no destitution 
or 'crime, the City of Portsmouth is pre-eminently favored 
among her sister seaports, at home or abroad, and even among 
the general run of cities of her size and population throughout 
the civilized world. 



HISTORICAL. 

PREFATORY. 

THE PREFACE TO MR. CAMPBELL'S " History of 
the Colony and Ancient Dominion of Virginia," com- 
mences thus : " Although Virginia must be content with 
a secondary arid unpretending rank in the general de- 
partment of history, yet, in the abundance and the interest of 
her historical materials, she may, without presumption, claim 
pre-eminence among the Anglo-American Colonies." 

When it is remembered that the history of the United 
States is identical, in its early pages, with that of Virginia ; and 
that the history of Virginia was, for many years, almost con- 
fined to the shores of Chesapeake Bay and of the rivers whose 
confluence forms our great outer harbor, Hampton Roads, the 
application of the above quotation, (with, perhaps, the substitu- 
tion of a single name,) to the purposes of this modest but vera- 
cious volume will at once be apparent to its intelligent reader. 

EARLY DAYS. 
It does not concern us, however, to examine too closely 
into the legendary story of Madoc, the Cambrian prince, nor to 
w^eigh too scrupulously the claims of the Northmen of Iceland, 
descendants of the brave Eric, to be regarded as the real dis- 
coverers of this mighty continent. It will save time to consign 
these somewhat doubtful heroes to the tender mercies of the 



24 



SKETCH LOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



Established iSdy 

LEGH R. WATTS, Pkesident. E. ALEX. HATTON, Cashier. 

BANK OF PORTSMOUTH, 

MEMBER OF NORFOLK CLEARING HOUSE ASSOCIATION. 
City Depositary Since Organization in 1867, 



SPECIAL ATTENTION GIVEN 
TO COLLECTIONS, and remit- 
tances promptly made on day of 
payment at current rate of exchange. 
Transacts a General Banking Business, 
and solicits correspondence and accounts 
of Banks, Bankers, Corporations, Mer- 
chants and Individuals. 




RIRECTORS: 
Judge Legh R. Watts, 
O. V. Smith, 

R. J. Neely, 

Jas. F. Crocker, 
Joseph Bourke, 

Jno. H. Hume, 
A. P. Grice, 



Thos. Scott. 



Paid up Capital $51,000. 



Interest Paid en Deposits in Savings Department. 

Correspondents — Importers' & Traders' National Bank and Bank of New 
York,N. B. A., New York; First National Bank, Philadelphia; National 
Revere Bank, Boston ; Merchants' National Bank, Baltimore. 



Its PEOPLli AND ITS I'RADJg; 25 



antiquarian, and to concede to Columbus, without further ques- 
tion, the glory of having, in the year 1492, made the first cer- 
tain discovery of the New World. But it was the good fortune 
of John Cabot and his sons to be the first who actually reached 
the main land five years later, having obtained from Henry 
VII, a patent dated in 1496, which is the oldest surviving doc- 
ument that connects, England with America. 

In 1573 Chesapeake Bay, first called the Bay of Santa 
Maria, was visited and explored by Pedro Menendez Morquez, 
the Spanish Governor of Florida ; and subsequent explorations, 
covering a period of eight or ten years, were made by the 
Spaniards, but these were unknown to the English, and Spain 
made no claim on their account. 

Sir Humphrey Gilbert, in 1578, obtained from "Bonnie 
Queen Bess " letters patent authorizing him to take and colonize 
any " heathen " country he could discover, and under this 
broad charter he made one or two unsuccessful expeditions, 
till finally, in 1583, he reached Newfoundland, of which he took 
formal possession in the Queen's name. Of the fleet of five 
vessels with which he had sailed from Plymouth, only two now 
remained, and Sir Humphrey determined to return to England, 
and selected the smaller vessel, the " Squirrel," upon which to 
embark. When off the Azores a heavy storm was encountered, 
and the " Squirrel," with the Admiral and all hands, disappeared 
forever beneath the angry waters. The company of her con- 
sort, the " Golden Hind," were near enough to observe Sir 
Humphrey seated on deck with a book in his hand, and to 
hear him exclaim : " Be of good cheer, my friends ; it is as 
near to heaven by sea as by land." Shortly afterwards, at 



26 SKrETCHT BOOKT OF' PORTSMOUTH, V'A. 



THE 



Portsmouth Gas Company. 

R. C. MARSHALL, President. 



It is perhaps fortunate for Portsmouth that her Gas supply is in the 
hands of a private corporation, under the management and direction of 
some of her most prominent citizens, instead of being controlled by the 
City authorities and subject to the vicissitudes common to the concerns of 
municipal governments. The Portsmouth Gas Company was organized in 
1854 under a charter from the State Legislature. 

The extensive works of the Company are situated near the north- 
western boundary of the City and are thoroughly equipped with all th^ ap- 
pliances necessary for the manufacture of the best gas. The capacity of 
the works is 50,000 feet of gas per day, and the supply reaches the con- 
sumers through about ten miles of pipes. 

The capital stock of the Company is $80,000 and is all paid up. It is 
divided among twenty-eight stockholders. 

The present officers of the Company are as follows: Presideiat, R. C, 
Marshall; Engineer and Superintendent, R. L.Herbert; Treasurer, R. 
C. Marshall. Directors : John McIlhenny, Joseph Bourke, Charles 
R. Nash, B. H. Bartol and R. C. Marshall. 

It is admitted on all hands that Portsmouth is as well and as cheaply 
lighted as any City which depends exclusively upon gas for the illumina- 
tion of its thoroughfares, churches, stores and public buildings ; and it is 
much preferred to kerosene oil in tha better class of residences, by reason 
of its good quality, cleanliness and exemption from danger by fire. In 
the long run gas is the cheapest, safest and best artificial light for general 
use that has yet been discovered. 

The offices of the Portsmouth Gas Company are at 

209 High St., Portsmouth, Va. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 



27 



midnight on September 9th, 1583, the brave httle craft sud- 
denly vanished and was seen no more. 

Not daunted by the fate of his heroic kinsman, Sir Walter 
Raleigh determined upon effecting a settlement in America, 
and obtained a patent for that purpose from Queen Elizabeth, 




a>-l^v^^^ 



RESIDENCE OF MR. JOHN H. HUME. 

dated March, 1584. Aided by Sir Richard Grenville, and 
others, he fitted out two small vessels and put them under 
the command of Captains Philip Amadas and Arthur Barlow. 
Leaving the Thames in April, 1584, they first visited the West 
Indies, and then, sailing northward, reached the coast of Flori- 
da early in July, and, still pursuing their course j landed at last 



28 



SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



A. E. ETHEREDGE. Established 1839- e. c. brooks. 



ETPPDGE •:• ^ •!• B^OO^S, 



COTTON FACTORS, 



Genera! 



ienMerebts 



AND DEALERS IN 



GUANO, COAL, LIRfiE, PLASTER, CEMENT AND HAY. 



Special attention paid to the sale of all Country Produce. COTTON 
aid CORN a specialty. 

Liberal advances made upon consignments in hand, and the highest 
market prices obtained. 

Prompt returns made as requested. Correspondence solicited. 



107 to 113 High Street. 



PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 29 



on the Island of Wokokon, in the stormy region of Cape Hat- 
teras. The EngHsh, in accordance with the national custom, 
proceeded to take possession of the country in the name of 
their Sovereign. They found the valleys wooded with tall ce- 
dars festooned with graceful vines, the grapes clustering in rich 
j5rofusion and even trailing' in the murmuring surges of the sea. 
Here the explorers were shortly visited by a deputation of 
aborigines under His Royal Highness, Prince Granganameo, 
the King's brother, with whom compliments and presents were 
exchanged. The English were hospitably entertained by Gran- 
ganameo's wife, a lady who is described as having possessed all 
the virtues and vanities erroneously ascribed to a higher civil- 
i cation only. 

The country, which was called Wingandacoa, was found 
to possess a productive soil, a mild and salubrious climate, 
heavy timber of the most valued varieties, as well as fruits, mel- 
ons, nuts and esculent roots, all of excellent quality, while the 
woods were well stocked with game and the waters with innu- 
merable fish and wild fowl. 

After discovering Roanoke Island and exploring as much 
of the interior as their time would permit, Amadas and Barlow 
sailed homeward, accompanied by two of the natives, Manteo 
and Wanchese. The Queen was charmed with the glowing de- 
scriptions given by the adventurers of her new possessions, and 
bestowed upon the country the name "Virginia" in allusion, it 
is presumed, to the state of "single blessedness " (!) in which it 
pleased her reside. Henceforth this name applied to all of 
North America, as far as discovered, till gradually, as the vast 
extent of the continent began to be appreciated, it was found 



30 



SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



Incorporated 1852. 



The Portsmouth (Fire) Insurance Company, 

O. V. SMITH, President. W. V. H. WILLIAMS, Secretary. 





-a 










1) 






^ 










> 


TO 




8 




^ 


c 




n 




(U 




n 


^ 


^ 


111 


n 


CO 


l»-. 


3 





s 







< 








(U 

> 




J 


5 





0) 










» 


:3 
1 — 1 


•X^ 

3 


< 


■ 

z 


& 


.^ 







h-l 


C3 


p 


> 


■rf 


fX 


OJ 






lU 




B 


;J 


bn 


^ 


3: 


§ 





>^ 




<U 


f^ 


ji; 




,J-I 


m 


CS 








Q.J 






















<v 






*J 


b/)U 












(U 


d 






b/J 








<1 








rc ^. S. 



< 



r 

> 

3 
0> 



The only Home Cornpany hi Eastern Virgiiiia. Other First- 

Class Fire Insurance Companies represented, and 

all classes of Insitrance effected. 

Offices : — In the Building of the Portsmouth Insurance Company, 

217 HIGH STREET, PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 3I 



expedient to distinguish the various provinces by bestowing 
upon them different names. 

Raleigh having now become an important and wealthy 
])ersonage, thanks to a patent granted him" to license the vend- 
ing of wines throughout the kingdom, determined to still fur- 
ther pursue his plans for the colonization of Virginia. In 1585 
he fitted out a fleet for that purpose, under the command of 
Sir Richard Grenville, who was accompanied by several distin- 
guished persons. Late in June the fleet anchored at Wokokon, 
whence they proceeded through Ocracock Inlet to Roanoke 
Island, which was selected as the seat of the colony. From 
this point the coast was explored as far South of Secotan, in 
the present County of Craven, N. C, by Grenville, who shortly 
afterwards returned to England. 

ELIZABETH RIVER DISCOVERED. 

Ralph Lane, who had been appointed by Raleigh gover- 
nor of the colony, proceeded to the northward and, passing 
in between the. Capes of Virginia, landed at the town of 
Chesapik, on the Ehzabeth River, near the site now occupied 
by Portsmouth. This was in the year 1586, exactly three 
centuries ago ! Here, owing to mismanagement and the in- 
creasing hostility of the natives, the colonists were exposed to 
many privations and constant danger, aggravated by a scarcity 
of provisions. Matters were becoming desperate, when Sir 
Francis Drake arrived just in time to rescue the unfortunate 
settlers, all of whom embarked with his fleet for England, thus 
abandoning for the time the colonization of America. Shortly 
after the departure of Drake's expedition, a vessel arrived at 



3^ 



SKEtCH BOOg OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



E. O. YOUNG, 



M EsTiiTE m Rmm im 



G-eiieral Anctioneer. 



FARMS A SPECIALTY. 



There is no State in the Union that offers such indiTcements to the 
farmer as Virginia, and Portsmouth is the natural outlet for her products. 
She is the inshore city, having back of her, and in close proximity, some 
of the richest and most productive lands in the Union. This is proved by 
the large list of farmers who, in the past few years, have made themselves 
independent. 

It will be to the advantage of any one desiring to buy a farm, either 
large or small, to examine my list before purchasing elsewhere. 

I also have constantly on my list a goo.d number of city lots, both va- 
cant and with houses on them, to sell for cash or on easy terms. 



P. O. Box 92. 
Telephone No. 79. 



E. O. YOUNG, 

337 High Street, Next Door to the Post Office. 



ITS PKOPI.E AND ITS TRADiv 



53 



Roanoke with supplies, but, finding the place abandoned, she 
returned to England. 

These repeated disappointments did not abate Raleigh's 
indomitable resolution. During the next year he sent out a 
new expedition of three vessels to establish a colony. John 




TRINITY (P. E.) CHURCH— The Old Parish Church of Portsmouth. 

White was appointed Governor, with twelve counsellors, and 
they were directed to plant themselves at "the Town of Chesa- 
peakes, on the Elizabeth River." This order, however, was not 
obeyed, for, on reaching Roanoke and finding it deserted, 
Ferdinando, the naval officer, refused to explore the country 



34 



SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



C. ARMSTRONG So SON, 

Saw and Planing Mill 

AND BOX FACTORY. 




Manufacturers of and Wholesale and Retail Dealers in 

LUMBER, LATHS, POSTS & SHINGLES 

Kiln-Dried Flooring and Ceiling a Specialty. 

BILL TIMBER IN LONG LENGTHS CUT TO ORDER. 

On Gosport Bridge, Crawford Street, 

p. O. Box 308. 

PORTSMOUTH, YA. 



ITS PKOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 35 

further. On the i8th of August, 1587, the Governor's daughter 
Eleanor, wife of Ananias Dare, one of the Council, gave birth to 
a daughter — the first EngHsh child born in the country, and 
hence named Virginia. The difficulties which had led to the 
abandonment of the colony in the previous year now recurred 
under very similar circumstances, and Governor White, at the 
request of all the colonists, returned to England for supplies, 
leaving at Roanoke 89 men, 17 women and 11 children. Upon 
his return, which, for various reasons, had been delayed till 
1590, not one of the settlers was to be found. Their houses 
had been dismantled and their goods scattered. On a post 
within the fort had been carved the word "Croatan," presum- 
ably to indicate the direction they had taken on leaving. Five 
separate expeditions were sent out by Raleigh — the last one, 
in 1602, at his own expense — to search for these missing 
colonists, but not a vestige of them has ever been found, and 
their fate is shrouded in eternal mystery. Thus the second 
English colony in America became extinct. 

Sir Walter Raleigh himself never visited Virginia, though 
the impression that he had done so has always been more or 
less prevalent. 

In 1602 Bartholomew Gosnold landed in Massachusetts 
Bay, then in Northern Virginia, but afterwards called New 
England. For years he labored to organize an expedition for 
efifecting a permanent settlement, and in 1606 he succeeded, 
with the assistance of Captain John Smith, already a distin- 
guished adventurer ; Edward Maria Wingfield, a merchant ; 
Robert Hunt, a clergyman, and others, in procuring letters 
patent authorizing the establishment of two colonies to be 



36 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



GEORGE R. TRANT. J. B. TRANT. 

TRANT & BRO., 

Lumber Commission Merchants, 

227 Water Street, 

PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



Have a full stock of BUILDING MATERIAL of all kinds. Bills cut to 
order at short notice. Consignments of Lumber solicited. 

TRANT & BRO. 

GEO. R. TRANT. PAUL C. TRUGIEN. A. G. HILL. 

TRANT, TRUCIEN &, HILL, 

WHOLESALE AND RETAIL DEALERS IN 

Goal, Lime, Plastsr ^Gemest and Latk Jay, Grain and hi 

KEEP IN STOCK POCAHONTAS LUMP COAL. 
OUT-OF-TOWN ORDERS PROMPTLY FILLED. 

p. 0. Box 141, 

PORTSMOUTH, VA, 



ITS PKOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 



37 



known as Northern and Southern Virginia, the dividing Hne 
between them being the entrance to Chesapeake Bay. The 
plantation of the Southern colony, with which alone we are now 
concerned, was entrusted to Sir Thomas Gates, Sir George 
Somers, and other influential gentlemen, mostly residents of 
the English capital, whence the name of the corporation came 
to be distinguished as the London Company. Instructions 




BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF THE HARBOR, LOOKING NORTH. 

were issued by the Crown for the government of these colonies, 
under which their management was extremely complicated, and 
which eventually led to serious conflicts. The necessary ar- 
rangements having been made, three vessels were fitted out by 
the Company for the expedition and placed under the com- 
mand of Captain Christopher Newport, with sealed orders. 
They set sail from Blackwall on December 19th, 1606, and. 



38 



SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



DID 




NEW YORK 

ROANOKE, BREAKWATER, WYANOKE, 

CUYANDOTTE, SENECA, MANHATTAN, 

OLD DOMINION, RiCMMOND. 



Passenger Steamers leave NORFOLK for NEW YORK at 6 P. M., every Monday, 
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, and leave NEW YORK for NORFOLK 
at 3 P. M. every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. 

For RICHMOND— Steamers leave NORFOLK every Sunday, Wednesday and Fri- 
day night, arriving at RICHMOND next morning. 

Steamers NORTHAMPTON, LURAY and ACCOMACK, sailing daily, except 
Sunday, run a regular morning and afternoon schedule between Norfolk, Old Point, 
Hampton, Newport's News, Smithfield, Nansemond River and Suffolk, and make tri- 
weekly trips to Cherrystone, Matthews, Poquosin and Ware Rivers. 

Steamers leave Norfolk for Cherrystone and Poquosin River every Monday, Wed- 
nesday and Friday A. M., and for Matthews and Ware River every Tuesday, Thursday 
and Saturday A. M. 

For Newberne and Washington, N. C, and points on Neuse, Trent, Tar and Pam- 
lico Rivers— Steamers SHENANDOAH and NEWBERNE leave Elizabeth City, N. C, 
every Monday and Thursday, connecting with trains of the Norfolk Southern Railroad. 

For further information apply to 

CULPEPER & TURNER, AGENTS. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 39 



after a stormy and protracted voyage, were at last driven by a 
gale into the mouth of Chesapeake Bay. The Capes, which 
were sighted on April 26th, 1607, were named Henry and 
Charles, after the two sons of King James. That night the 
sealed instructions were opened, and it was found that Bartholo- 
mew Gosnold, John Smith, Edward Maria Wingfield, Chris- 
topher Newport, John Ratcliffe, John Martin and George Ken- 
dall were to constitute the Council for the local government of 
the colony. Wingfield was chosen President. 

Landings were made at Point Comfort, Kecoughtan (now 
Hampton) and elsewhere, with a view to the selection of a suit- 
able site for the settlement, and on May 13th they begaw the 
ascent of the Powhatan (now James) River, finally deciding 
upon a peninsula on its north bank, about 40 miles from its 
mouth, as their permanent habitation, and naming their embryo 
capital James Town, in honor of their sovereign lord. 

Of this infant colony Mr. Howe writes : 

" There could not, perhaps, be a company more unfitted for the duty 
which it had to perform than that which now commenced the foundation 
of the British Empire in America. The colonists were in a*vilderness, 
surrounded by savages, without a fortification to repel their incursions, 
possessed of a scanty supply of provisions, without means of planting and 
without a habitation to protect them from the weather, save such as they 
might themselves erect ; yet in the whole company there were but fom 
carpenters and Hvdve laborers to fifty-fotir gentlemen. At first, however, 
this rare collection of pioneers fell to work with spirit, each to his appro- 
priate duty. The president, who seems to have been a very weak man 
and ill suited for his station, was too jealous of his own men to allow ex- 
ercises at arms or a fortification to be erected ; and the only protection 
provided was a sort of half-moon, formed of the boughs of trees, by the 
exertions of Kendall. Newport, Smith and twenty others were sent to 



40 



SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



Vorfolk Soutlierii Mmi Compas;, 



THE QUICK AND RELIABLE DAILY ROUTE TO 
EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA, 

FOR FREIGHT AND PASSENGERS. 



-CONNECTIONS- 



ELIZABETH CITY, 

With Old Dominion Steamship Company's Steamers, vShenandoah and 
Newberne, for Newberne, Washington and all points on Neuse, Trent and 
Tar Rivers. 

Also with Company's Steamers, MARY E. ROBERTS and MARTHA 
E. DICKERMAN, which leave Elizabeth City every Tuesday and Friday 
night, for Columbia, Spruil's Bridge, Creswell, Mantio, Fairfield, Gum 
Neck, and other landings on the Pasquotank, North, Little, Scuppernong 
and Alligator Rivers. 

EDENTON, 
With the Company's Steamer PLYMOUTH, carrying United States Mail, 
daily for all landings on the Roanoke River, connecting at Jamesville 
with J. & W, R. R. for Washington, and at Williamston, with trains of 
Albemarle and Raleigh Railroad for Tarboro and other Stations, and the 
Company's Steamer RANGER for all landings on Upper Roanoke River. 

Connection is made with Steamers for Windsor and for points on the 
Cashie and Chowan Rivers. 

Through rates to all points and close connection at Norfolk with 
Steam Lines to and from Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, Boston, etc. 

Through tickets on sale at Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York and 
at principal Stations. 

H. C. HUDGINS, 

General Freight and Passensrer Assent. 

M. K. KING, 

General Manager. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 



41 



discover the licad of tlic river. In six days tliey arrived at a town called 
Powhatan, belonging to King Powhatan, situated at the falls of the river, 
near the site of the present City of Richmond. They were kindly treated 
by the Indians. When the expedition returned they found that James- 
town had been attacked by the savages and seventeen men wounded and 
a 1)oy killed. They were attacked while at work, and their arms out of 




U. S. NAVY YARD — Official Residence of the Commandant. 

order, so that the whole were only saved from destruction by the timely 
aid of the vessels. After this experience of his folly, the president per- 
mitted the place to be fortified ; and the labor necessary to effect this with 
so small a force — while it was necessary, at the same time, to guard their 
workmen by day, to watch by night, to prepare ground for corn, and lum- 
ber to relade the ships — may be better conceived than described. After 
a stay of six weeks Newport prepared to depart, and the Council, affecting 



42 



SKECTH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



JOHN L. THO. — w, 

SHIPWRIGHT, SPARMAKER, CAULKER, &C, 



=^=r— --^r^-=^^;- , -,— jj-^^-;n=:.==g_-— --^ ^ 


=~ss^=s^= 




i 


^^^^^^^^^^0 


^^w'SSs=^;^s°^:^^==^'==^^'^^=— =^=^ 


r^- -z;-==-_. 



SECTIONAL STEAM 

MARINE RAILWAY. 

WHITE PINE AND SPRUCE SPARS A SPECIALTY. 

Norfolk Harbor (Southern Branch), 
Opposite Portsmouth, Va. 

Address, 311 South Street, - PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 43 

a tender regard for the character of Smith, whom they had falsely accused 
of a treacherous design to usurp royal authority in the colony, and kept 
out of his seat in the Council under these charges, now proposed, that he 
might not be utterly ruined by a trial, to send him home to the Council, 
to be disposed of as they might think proper. But Smith, conscious of 
innocence of the absurd charge, boldly defied them and demanded a trial. 
His accusers suborned witnesses, who, instead of answering the expecta- 
tions of their employers, only exposed the subornation. The Company 
were so incensed at the infamous conduct of his accusers that they con- 
demned the- president to pay him ^200, which, when received, he gener- 
ously threw into the common stock. Newport sailed on the 15th of June 
(1607), leaving one hundred men in Virginia." 

The condition of these unfortunate exiles was melancholy 
in the extreme. Being unused to labor or hardship of any 
description, they soon yielded to the combined influences of ex- 
posure and a sickly climate, and great mortality prevailed. Half 
their number were buried within three months of Newport's de- 
parture. The president, Wingfield, having been detected in 
attempting to escape in the pinnace, had been deposed, and Rat- 
cliffe elected in his stead. The latter, being both incapable and 
unpopular, committed the control of affairs almost entirely to 
Smith, who speedily brought about a better and happier condi- 
tion of things, and for a time something like prosperity prevailed. 

Shortly after this, however. Smith, while engaged in an 
exploring expedition on the Chickahominy, was captured by the 
savages and taken to the chief Opechankanough, King of Pa- 
maunkee, by whom he was retained a prisoner for several 
weeks, and at length brought before their Emperor, Powhatan, 
who received him with all the formal pomp and state known to 
his savage court. 



44 



SKEI'CH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



JOHN T. GRIFFIN, President. 



Morchantsi 



JAMES H. TOOMER, Cashier. 




PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



Designated Depositary of the City of Portsmouth. 



INCORPORATED OCTOBER 27, 1885. 



Capital, $51,500, 



Transacts a General Banking Business, and the prompt personal at- 
tention of its officers given to all matters entrusted to their care. 

Collections promptly attended to and remitted for on the most 
favorable terms. 

Accounts of Bankers, Merchants, Farmers, and others solicited. 

Nev\r York Correspondent, Irving National Bank. 



fTS PEOPLE AND iTS tRADfi. 



45 



It was on this occasion that, after having been condemned 
to death and actually Icdout to execution, Smith's life was saved 
by the lovely and amiable (if not accomplished) Pocahontas, 
the Emperor's fworite daughter, who subsequently married an 
English gentleman at Jamestown named Rolfe and became the 




POST OFFICE AND CITY HALL. 

founder of what Mr. Burk has been pleased to call "the Impe- 
rial Family of Virginia." 

In 1608 Captain Smith made a voyage of discovery up 
Chesapeake Bay and penetrated as far as the sites now occu- 
pied by Washington and Baltimore, preparing maps which are 
still extant, and are said to possess wonderful merit and accuracy, 



46 



SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



JOS. F. WEAVER, 

■DEALER IN 

Drugs, Medicines, 




CHEMICALS, PATENT MEDICINES, 

PERFUMERY, 

Fancy and Toilet Articles, 

518 South Street, 

PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



PRESCRIPTIONS CAREFULLY COMPOUNDED. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 47 

considering the very rude instruments at his disposal. On 
his return to Jamestown he was elected president of the colony, 
and it was owing to his judicious treatment of the savages and 
his management of the turbulent spirits under his control that 
the colony was at that period preserved from utter annihilation. 

THE FIRST GOVERNOR APPOINTED. 

In the following year (1609) the Company obtained a new 
charter, which embraced many persons and corporations of 
wealth and influence. Lord De La War was appointed Gov- 
ernor for life, and the Company was soon enabled to dispatch 
a fleet of nine vessels with over five hundred emigrants. New- 
port was made admiral and joint commissioner with Sir Thomas 
Gates and Sir George Somers to administer the affairs of the 
colony till the new Governor should arrive. The " Sea Ven- 
ture," in which they all three embarked, was driven from her 
course by a violent storm and stranded on the rocks of the 
Bermudas ; one small vessel was lost at sea, and the remaining 
seven reached Jamestown in safety. 

Smith found much difficulty in restraining the unruly and 
rebellious spirits of the new arrivals, who affected to believe that 
his authority had been superseded by that of the new commis- 
sioners, notwithstanding the fact that the latter had not yet put 
in an appearance. With a view, therefore, to reducing the nu- 
merical strength of his mutinous companions. Smith dispatched 
two expeditions, each with over a hundred men, to form settle- 
ments on the Nansemond River and at the falls of the James — 
both of which, however, resulted in eventual failure,mainly owing 
to the cowardice and general incapacity of those in command. 



SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



James F. Crocker 

ATTORNEY 

AND 

Counsellor- at- Law 

PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



Practices in all the State and 
Federal Courts of this vicinity. 



G. F. EDWARDS, JNO. W. HAPPER, 

Com. of Accts. Com. in Chancery. 



EDWARDS & HAPPER, 
Attorneys-at-Law 

335 High Street, 

PORTSMOUTH, VA. 
P. 0. Box 86. 



K. R. GRIFFIN, 
Attorney- at-Law, 

Opposite Court House, 
PORTSMOUTH, AV. 



Courts : — U. S. District, East- 
ern Va., and of Portsmouth and 
Norfolk City Courts, and of Nor- 
folk and Southampton Counties. 



R. C. MARSHALL, 

Attorney-at-Law,| 

Commonwealth's Attorney, 

FOR THE 

CITY OF PORTSMOUTH, 

No. 209 High St., > 

PORTSMOTTH, VA. 



Practices in all State and Federal 
Courts. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 



49 



Having met with a serious accident, which disabled him, 
Smith now determined to visit Enghmd — partly to procure such 
skilled surgical treatment as his condition demanded, and partly 
to further at headquarters the interests of the colony for 




ST. PAUL'S (R. C.) CHURCH. 



which he had labored so faithfully and suffered so much. 
At the time of his departure, Virginia contained about five 
hundred persons, who might have succeeded, with prudent 
management, in achieving the most complete success. But evil 



50 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

CLYDE'S 

Coastwise and West India 




BETWEEN 

New York and Charleston, S. C. 

New York and Wilmington, N, C. 

New York, Hayti and San Domingo. 
Philadelphia, Richmond and Norfolk. 
Philadelphia and New York. 

Philadelphia and Charleston, S. C. 
Philadelphia and Washington, D. C. 
and Alexandria, Va. 

Baltimore, Norfolk, Newberne, 

and Washington, N. C. 

Philadelphia, Richmond and Norfolk Line. 

WH. P. mi & CO, Gsnsral Iknaps, 

No. 35 Broadway, New York, - 12 South Wharves, Philadelphia. 
JAS. VI. McCARRICK, Gen'i Southern Agent, Norfolk, Va. 



ITS PEOPLE AND' ITS TRADE. 5I 

counsels — with their legitimate offspring, confusion and an- 
archy — soon prevailed, and all semblance of discipline was 
abandoned. The savages, no longer restrained by Smith's 
authority and genius, proceeded to attack and demolish the 
outlying settlements. Such of the colonists as escaped with 
their lives hastened to Jamestown, where their presence and the 
free indulgence of their vicious tendencies only served to render 
confusion worse confounded and to hasten the final 'catastrophe. 

The savages attacked and slew every settler they could lay 
their hands upon, and the remainder they determined to starve, 
by refusing to supply any further provisions, after they had 
bought every disposable article at the fort, even to their arms 
and live stock, including their horses. The appalling result 
was that six months after Smith's departure only sixty emaci- 
ated beings remained alive of the five hundred he had left 
behind him. 

At this desperate climax Gates and Somers arrived from 
Bermuda with three hundred and fifty men, in two vessels 
which they had constructed during their year's residence on 
the island. Being short of provisions, they found it impossible 
to remain at the colony, so they took on board the miserable 
survivors, abandoned the settlement and set sail for Newfound- 
land, where they hoped to obtain relief from any fishing vessels 
that might happen to be there. 

Jamestown, the seat of the first civil and religious -estab- 
lishment on the shores of North America — the scene of so 
much heroism and depravity, self-seeking worthlessness and 
patriotic devotion, fair hope and black despair, transient happi- 
ness and terrible suftering — was now on the point of being 



52 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

The Sea board Air-Line 

THROUGH FREIGHT AND PASSENGER ROUTE 

TO ALL POINTS SOUTH. 

FROM NORFOLK & PORTSMOUTH, 

By the Seaboard and Roanoke Railroad. 

FROM BALTIMORE, 

By the Bay Line of Steamers, leaving Union Dock daily 

at 7 P. M. 

FROM NEW YORK, 

By the Old Dominion Line of Steamships, Pier 26, North 

River, Sailing Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, 

and Saturdays, at 3 p. m. 

FROM BOSTON, 

By the Norfolk, Baltimore and Washington^Steamships, from 

Central Wharf, sailing Tuesdays, Thursdays and 

Saturdays at 3 p. m, 

FROM PHBLADELPKBA, 

By the Clyde Line, From Pier No. i. North Wharves, Tues- 
days, Thursdays and Saturdays, at noon. 

J8®"Special low rates for bona fide settlers, and full informa- 
tion as to lands for sale or lease, can be obtained on application 
to F. W. CLARK, G. F. & P. A., 

H. W. B. GLOVER, Agent, Raleigh, n. c. 

52 Main Street, Norfolk, Va. 



Its PEOf LE AND ITS TRADE 



53 



finally deserted and restored to the wilderness from which it 
'had been reclaimed at such bitter cost. Nay, the last tearless 
gaze of the departing colonists had already lingered upon the 
receding settlement till every vestige of its civilization had 
faded and sunk behind the distant horizon. 




RESIDENCE OF MR. WM. G. MAUPIN. 

But just at this critical juncture the long-expected but now 
almost-despaired-of new Governor arrived upon the scene, and 
an entirely changed direction was given to Virginia's wavering 
destiny. This opportune event is thus mentioned by Mr. 
Crashaw : 
^ " When this departure of Sir Thomas Gates, full sore against his heart, 

was put in execvition, and every man aboard, their ordnance and armour 



54 



SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



R. J. E\!EELY &, CO., 

Corner Water and London Streets, near the Ferry, 

PORTSMOUTH, VA. 




THE LARGEST ASSORTMENT 

AND GENERAL STOCK OF 

BUILDING MATERIALS 

IN EASTERN VIRGINIA, 

FROM THE 

VERY CHE A PEST. TO THE HIGHEST GRADE, 

Lvimber, Laths, Shingles. Sash, Doors, Blinds, Balusters, 
Newels, Mouldings, Brackets, &c., &c. Bricks, Lime, Cement and Plaster. 

ALSO 

Of«iE THOUSAE^D HOT BED SASH, 

THREE DIFFERENT PATTERNS. 

STEAMBOAT AND BLACKSMITH COAL— EGG, STOVE AND NUT 
ANTHRACITE COAL. 



Call and Examine Our Assorted Stock Before Purchasing, and Send for 
Prices and Price Lists. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 55 

buried, and not an English soul left in Jamestown, and giving, by their 
peal of shot, their last and woeful farewell to that pleasant land, were now 
with sorrowful hearts going down the river — behold, the hand of Heaven 
from above, at the very instant, sent in the Right Honourable De La 
War to meet them at the river's mouth, with provision and comforts of all 
kind, who, if he had staid but two tydes longer, had come into Virginia 
and not found one Englishman." 

THE COLONY FINALLY ESTABLISHED. 

The ships returned at once to Jamestown and the colony- 
was once more established upon what turned out to be a firm 
and enduring foundation. 

The following sketch of the church at Jamestown, which 
was at once repaired by order of the new Governor, will 
doubtless be found interesting reading. It is from the pen of 
Mr. Strachy, Secretary and Recorder of the Colony, who wrote 
a narrative of all the official proceedings of the same at that 
period : 

"It is in length three score foot, in breadth twenty-four, and shall 
have chancel in it of cedar, a communion table of black walnut, and all 
the pews of cedar, with fair, broad windows, to shut and open (as the 
weather shall occasion) of the same wood, a pulpit of the same, with a 
Font hewn below, like a canoe, with two bells at the west end. It is so 
chaste, as it be very light within, and the Lord-Governor and Captain- 
General doth cause it to be kept passing^ sweet, and trimmed up with 
divers flowers, with a sexton belonging to it ; and in it every Sunday we 
have sermons twice a day, and every Thursday a sermon, having true 
(probably intended for tivo) preachers, which take their weekly turns ; and 
every morning, at the ringing of the bell, about ten o'clock, each man 
addresseth himself to prayers, and so at four o'clock before supper. Every 
Sunday, when the Lord-Governor and Captain-General goeth to Church, 
he is accompanied by all the coun lors captains, other officers, and all 



56 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

Portsmouth Primary School. 



We desire to call attention to 
our facilities for teaching small children. Our school house, 

318 North Street, 

is a large, well- ventilated frame building with enclosed play- 
ground. We have spared no expense in fitting up the rooms 
and grounds with every convenience for the instruction and 
amusement of our pupils. Each child is under our personal- 
supervision from 9 A. M. to 2.30 p. m. 

While teaching all the branches of a first-class primary- 
school, we also adopt many of the best features of the 

KINDERGARTEN SYSTEM. 

The monotony of ordinary school routine is varied by Songs 
Marches and Calisthenic Exercises. 

TERMS : $2.00 PER MONTH. 

For further information, apply to the undersigned, 312 
North Street, Portsmouth, Va. 

V. S. STAPLES, 
S C. MANNING. 



tTS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 57 



the gentlemen, with a guard of Halberdiers in Lis Lordship's livery (fair 
red cloakes) to the number of fifty, on each side and behind him. His 
Lordship hath his seat in the Quoir, in a great velvet chair, with a cloth, 
with a velvet cushion spread before him, on which he kneeleth, and on 
each side sit the Council, captains and officers, each in their place, and 
•when he returneth home again, he is waited on to his house in the same 
manner," 

The early dark and turbulent days of Virginia's career have 
been sketched in the foregoing pages with, perhaps, more 
regard to detail than was necessary for the purpose of this 
volume. But the subject is always a fascinating one, and it will 
doubtless be satisfactory to the reader to feel that he has been, 
as it were, present at the birth of the infant settlement — hardly 
even a colony — which was presently to develop into the mighty 
Nation of which he is a citizen. Then, again, it is safe to write 
of the past, provided the intervening period be bridged by 
centuries, as it is extremely improbable that any living witness 
will produce contradictory testimony, and so involve the writer 
in controversy. 

But the events which are now to be chronicled are 
possessed of a greater local interest, having been instrumental 
in forming those social, political and commercial characteristics 
which distinguish the City of Portsmouth and its people. 

Before leaving the colony, however, there are still a few 
incidents of sufficient importance to justify their being briefly 

recorded. 

THE MASSACRES OF 1622 AND 1644. 

After the arrival of Lord De La War, whose vigorous 
policy and impartial justice served to restore order and inspire 
confidence, settlements were formed at several points alqng the 



5B 



SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



ESTABLISHED, 1852. 



&mwm\ 



DEALER IN FIRST-CLASS 



STAPLE 



D FANCY DRY GOODS. 



We keep no old stock, believing 
the first loss is always the best, 
and Small Profits and Quick Sales 
the only proper maxim of a Suc^ 
cessful Business. Our Stock and 
Prices are kept conformable to the 
times, adding whatever is New 
and Desirable, and our long expe- 
rience in business, with a know- 
ledge of the wants of the commu- 
nity, enables us not only to buy 
our Goods at the Closest Figures, 
but to offer you just the Goods you 
want at the Lowest Prices. Our 
Stock comprises 

Dress Goods, Cloaks, 
Shazals, Casluneres, 
Actions, Hosiery, 
Gloves, Corsets, 
Ladies' , Gents'' 
and Children^ s Underwear, 
Cloths, Cassimeres, 
Collars, Cravats, 
Carpets, Oil Cloths, 
Mattinzs and 



Windozv Shades and Coiniices. 



OUR PRICES GUARANTEED. 

No. 230 High Street, Portsmouth, Va. 




ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 59 

shores of Hampton Roads and on the banks of the larger 
rivers. Intercourse with the Indians had become more cordial 
and affairs generally seemed to have taken a more promising 
turn. 

But the Emperor Powhatan had been gathered to his 
fathers and his younger brother, the blood-thirsty and ambi- 
tious Opochankanough, reigned in his stead. He had witnessed 
with alarm the increasing numbers of the invaders, who were 
generally appropriating the choicest lands in his dominions, 
and he determined to crush and annihilate them at one blow. 
Accordingly, on March 22nd, 1622, all the hamlets along James 
River were simultaneously attacked and their inhabitants, to 
the number of three hundred and forty-seven men, women and 
children, massacred in cold blood. Jamestown escaped, having 
been warned in time to prepare for defense. 

So incensed were the English friends of the colony when 
the news of this outrage was received, that a war of extermi- 
nation against the savages was at once inaugurated. The 
London Company, hitherto very firm in enjoining upon the 
colonists the most gentle and conciliating measures in their 
dealings with the Indians, now lost all patience, and, in reversal 
of its former policy, issued the following manifesto : 

" We condemn their bodies, the saving of whose souls we have so 
zealously affected. Root them out from being any longer a people — so 
cursed a nation, ungrateful for all benefits and incapable of all goodness^ — 
or remove them so far as to be out of danger or fear. War perpetually, 
without peace or truce ; yet spare the young for servants. Starve them by 
destroying their corn or reaping it for your own use. Pluck up their 
weirs. Obstruct their hunting. Employ foreign enemies against them at 
so much a^head. 1[<.eep a band of your own men continually upon them 



6o 



SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



CHAS. E,. NASH, 



WHOLESALE AND RETAIL DEALER IN 




Orders promptly filled when accompanied by 
Cash Remittances. 



Ice By Car-Load, Barrels, &c. 



WOODEI^ BUILDING, 



Nos. 205, 207 and 209 Queen Street, 

p. 0. Box 307. 

PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 



6l 



to be paid by the colony, which is to have half of their captives and plun- 
der. He that takes any of their chiefs is to be doubly rewarded. He that 
takes Opochancono shall have a great and singular reward." 

In referring to this event, Bishop Meade pathetically 
remarks : "Pocahontas, at the end of seven or eight years, was 




GREEN STREET PUBLIC SCHOOL. 

perhaps the only trophy of the missionary labors of the Vir- 
ginia Colony." 

In 1644 a second general massacre was perpetrated by 
Opechankanough,. now old and feeble, in which the number of 
victims was variously estimated at from three to five hundred. 
The aged chieftain was captured immediately afterwards by 
the Governor, Sir William Berkeley, and carried to Jamestown, 



62 



SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



V#B da dL isii»e tt « w ^<k^^%^B^9 

DEALER IN 

. WATCHES, 



CO 

o 

O 

o 







r 



SILVERWARE, 

DEPOT FOR DIAMOND SPECTACLES. 

Special Attention given to Repairing Fine Watches and Jewelry 

226 High Street, Portsmouh, Va. 



Its peopLe and its trAde. 63 

where he was shot in the back and killed by his sentinel, whose 
sense of past injuries overcame all respect for helpless age 
or former greatness. 

Four years later, at Christmas, 1648, the population of the 
Colony had already reached 20,000 souls, and there were 
trading in Virginia ten ships from London, two from Bristol, 
twelve from Holland and seven from Massachusetts, which had 
by this time come to be known as New England. 

"BACON'S" REBELLION. 

This event, which was the outgrowth of incessant wararef 
waged by the Indians upon the frontier settlements, has been 
treated by Bishop Meade as an episode, from which the follow- 
ing is an extract: 

" Jamestown having been the most prominent theatre of Bacon's Re- 
bellion, and the greatest sufferer thereby — the place being destroyed by 
fire — it becomes us to take some brief notice of it. Writers on the subject 
trace the beginnings of this movement to an enterprise against the In- 
dians by Colonel Mason and Captain Brent, of Stafford County, in 1675, 
who, on some cruel murder committed by the former, collected troops and 
followed them into Maryland, putting great numbers to death, bringing a 
young son of one of their kings or chiefs back a prisoner. These wars 
with the Indians continuing to harass those who lived on the frontiers and 
in the interior, while the Governor and those living at or around James- 
town were quite secure, the former began to complain that they were not 
protected, and that they must follow the example of Mason and Brent, and 
take care of themselves. Among the dissatisfied was Bacon, a man of 
family, talents, courage and ambition. After applying in vain to Sir Wil- 
liam Berkeley for a commission to raise men for the purpose of assailing 
the Indians, he, urged by his own genius and the wishes of others, col- 
lected a considerable troop and spread terror around him, destroying a 
number of the hostile natives. The Governor proclaimed him a rebel, 



64 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

H. C. NIEMEYER. S. W. NIEMEYER. 

NiEMEYER &, CO., 

115 and 117 High Street, - Portsmouth, Va. 

GENERAL COMMISSION MERCHANTS 

WHOLESALE DEALERS IN 

Hay, Corn, Oats, Straw, &c., 

CEMENT, LIME, PLASTER AND BUILDING MATERIALS OF ALL KINDS. 

PERUVIAN CUANO AND PHOSPHATES, 

AGRICULTURAL LIME AND LAND PLASTER, 

COAL AND WOOD. 

SOLE AGENTS IN PORTSMOUTH FOR 

American Oil Company of New York for purchase of Cotton Seed, Brighton 
Brick Yards for sale of Bricks, 



ADOLPH BRANDT, 

DEALER IN 

BOOTS, SHOES AND TRUI^KS 

I Guarantee Satisfaction in all Respects. 

208 High Street, Portsmouth, Ya. 

J. T. & A. B. OWENS, 

FAMILY GROCERS, 

AND DEALERS IN FRUIT AND POULTRY. 

129 COURT ST., PORTSMOUTH, VA. 
PURE BUTTER A SPECIALTY, 



Its PEOPLE AND Its tRADE. 



65 



but the people sent him back to the Honse of Burgesses, and the Gover- 
nor thought it expedient even to admit him into the Council, where he 
had been before. Bacon again raised a troop and sallied forth against the 
Indians. Again the Governor pronounced him a rebel, and raised an army 
to subdue him and his followers. But Bacon, with an infei'ior force, be- 




MONUMENTAL (M. E.) CHURCH. 

sieged Jamestown, drove out the Governor and his men, and, lest he 
should regain this stronghold, burnt city, church and all to the ground. 
The Governor had twice to take refuge on the Eastern Shore. Whether 
Bacon's rebellion was a lawful one or not, I leave civilians to decide. Sir 
William Berkeley certainly gained no credit to himself, either for his 



66 



SKETCH BOOK OF i'ORTSMOUtM, VA. 



Booksellers & Stationers 



DEALERS IN 



FANCY GOODS, PIANOS AND ORGANS. 



cl 








•^ 








id 










?3 


to 




^.^ 


<i 




• ^ 




<i 




^ 


►^ 
^ 


^Jq 






^ 


t?^ 


>. 


^3 
53 


►5; 


1 




■^^ 




."^ 


i?i 


^ 


^ 


■^ 














•« 


►^ 


^^ 


^ 


^ 




<^ 


'i^ 


^ 


«S 


^ 




r, 




"^1 


^ 






^ 








*s 








<3 








^ 



















^1 


5S 




Vi 


S. 




1 


^ 
^ 




^' 


h 




to 


5 


a 


^ 


^ 


pi. 




•s 


a., 


r 




^^ 


^ 


«i 




vi 


,« 


^ 




r^ 


> 


^ 


v^ 


^ 


a 


g. 


^ 


fc: 


i^ 




^ 






S 






^ 


^^ 



PIANOS AND Of 

At the Lowest Factory Prices for CASH or on INSTALLMENTS 

Merchants^ Orders filled at the Loxuest WJwksale Prices, 

Noi 224 High St., Portsmouth, Va. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 67 

military talents, or his truth or humanity ; for, in spite of all his assurances 
to the contrary, and the express orders of the King, he did, after the sudden 
decease of Bacon, put to death a number of his followers. For this, and 
other high-handed acts, his memory is not dear to the lovers of freedom. 
" Although a new and better church, whose tower still remains, was 
built at Jamestown, yet the city never recovered from this blow. The 
Middle Plantation, or Williamsburg, was beginning to rival it, and by the 
beginning of the next century the seat of Government was removed to 
Williamsburg, where the College, State House and Governor's Palace quite 
eclipsed anything which had ever been seen at Jamestown." 

THE DIVIDING LINE. 

The Eastern portions of Virginia and Carolina were grad- 
ually being appropriated and settled, but the dividing line be- 
tween these colonies had never been clearly defined, and this 
fact had given rise to much controversy between the two local 
governments. In order to remedy this evil the respective Gov- 
ernors, with the consent of the Crown, appointed a joint com- 
mission to survey and delimit a boundary, which should finally 
settle the disputed points upon equitable principles. 

On this joint commission Virginia was represented by 
William Byrd (of Westover), Richard Fitz-William ahd Wil- 
liam Dandridge, Esquires. The Carolina Commissioners were 
Christopher Gale, John Lovewick, Edward Moseley and Wil- 
liam Little, Esquires. 

These gentlemen, with their surveyors, a chaplain and a 
score of attendants, met at Coratuck on March 5th, 1728, and 
pursued their labors until .November 2 2d following, when the 
Dividing Line, as now known, had been surveyed and mutually 
accepted. 

The complete story of this expedition, as told by Colonel 



68 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



Mem. So. Soc. C. E. 

Civil Engineer & Meclianical Expert, 

426 South Street, 

PORTS MOUT H, VA. 

Surveys, Plans and Estimates furnished for Railroads, City 
and Town Improvements. Drawings and specifications fur- 
nished for Mills, Factories, Boilers, Engines and other Ma- 
chinery. Work Superintended. 

"OLD CUBARENA" C3GAR FACTORY. 

JOHN E. O^VINS, 

Manufacturer and Jobber of 

FINE CIGARS, 

1 06 High Street, 

• PORTSMOUTH. VA. 

C. W. PEDRaCK, 

No. 340 High Street, - - PORTSMOUTH, VA., 

DEALER IN 

Hostetter's Celebrated Stomach Bitters, Drugs, Medicines, Chemicals, 
Fine Toilet Soaps, Brushes, Combs, Etc. 

PERFUMERY AND FANCY TOILET ARTICLES IN GREAT VARIETY, 



Physicians* Prescriptions Accurately Compounded, 



, ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 69 

Byrd, is replete with incident and anecdote, and will be found 
highly entertaining and iftstructive. For the purposes of this 
sketch, however, one<^or two brief extracts have been selected 
as having unusual interest for the people of this district. 

Under date of March ist, 1728, the following entry is 
found in the diary : 

* * * * " The two other Commissioners came up with 

them just at their Journey's end, and that evening they arrived all together 
at Mr. Craford's,who lives on the South Branch of Elizabeth River, over 
against Norfolk, Here the Commissioners left the Men with all the 
Horses and heavy Baggage, and crosst the River with their Servants only, 
for fear of making a Famine in the Town. 

"• Norfolk has most the ayr of a Town of any in Virginia. There were 
then near 20 Brigantines and Sloops riding at the Wharves, and oftentimes 
they have more. It has all the advantages of Situation requisite for Trade 
and Navigation. There is a Secure Harbour for a good Number of Ships 
of any Burthen. Their River divides itself into 3 Several Branches, 
which are all Navigable"; The Town is so near the sea, that its Vessels 
may Sail in and out in a few Hours. Their Trade is Chiefly to the West- 
Indies, whither they export abundance of Beef, Pork, Flour and Lumber. 
The worst of it is, they contribute much towards debauching the Country 
by importing abundance of Rum, which, like Ginn in Great Britain, 
breaks the Constitution, Vitiates the Morals, and ruins the Industry of 
most of the Poor people of this Country. 

" This place is the Mart for most of the Commodities produced in the 
Adjacent Parts of North Carolina, They have a pretty deal of Lumber 
from the Borderers on the Dismal, who make bold with the King's Land 
there abouts, without the least Ceremony. They not only maintain their 
Stocks upon it, but get Boards, Shingles and other Lumber out of it in 
great Abundance. ******* 

" It is not a Town of Ordinarys and Publick Houses, like most others 
in this Country, but the Inhabitants consist of Merchants, Ship-Carpenters 



70 



SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMoU H, VA. 



JOHN T. KING. 



GEO. W. KING. 



WHOLESALE AND RETAIL GROCERS, 
612 Marlcet Square, Portsmouth, Va. 

SPECIALTIES : 
JVew York State Butter, Fbur, Meats, atid C/ioice Virginia Hams. 




ALSO 

CORNER OF FOURTH & HENRY STREETS, SOUTH PORTSMOUTH, 

A well selected Stock of Choice Groceries, Family Siipplies, 
ayid manufacturers of Pure Leaf Lard and ciirers of Virgi7iia 
Bacon. Choice Virgi7iia Hams a specialty ; Corned Pork 
Sausage and Pork Steak i7i season, 

The public cordially invited to call and examine our stock 
at both stores. Goods delivered free. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 7 1 



and other useful Artisans, with Sailors enough to manage their Navi- 
gation. * * * The two Cardinal Vertues that make a place 
thrive, Industry and Frugality, are seen here in Perfection ; and so long 
as they can banish Luxury and Idleness the Town will remain in a happy 
and flourishing condition. 

"The Method of building Wharffs here is after the following Man- 
ner. They lay down long Pine Logs, that reach from the Shore to the 
Edge of the Channel. . These are bound fast together by Cross-Pieces 
notcht into them, according to the Architecture of the Log-Houses in 
North Carolina. A wharff built thus will stand Several Years, in spight 
of the Worm, which bites here very much, but may be soon repaired in a 
Place where so many Pines grow in the Neighbourhood." 

After many fruitless attempts to procure a guide able or 
willing' to conduct them to Coratuck Inlet, they 

* * "had the fortune to meet with a Borderer upon North 

Carolina, mIio made a rough sketch of that Part of the Country. Thus, 
upon seeing how the land lay, we determined to march directly to Prescot 
Landing, upon N W River, and proceed from thence by Water to the 
Place where our Line was to begin," 

" In Pursuance of this Resolution we crosst the River this Morning to 
Powder Point" — now Berkley — "where we all took Horse; and the 
Grandees of the Town, with great Courtesy, conducted us Ten Miles on 
our way, as far as the long Bridge built over the S Branch of the River. 
The Parson of the Parish, Mr. Marston, a painful Apostle from the Society, 
made one in this Ceremonious Cavalcade, 

'•At the Bridge, tliese Gentlemen, wishing us a good Deliverance, 
returned, and then a Troop of Light Horse escorted us as far as the Prescot- 
Landing upon N W river." 

DIVISION OF VIRGINIA INTO SHIRES. 

One of the earliest historical events in which the Ports- 
mouth people of to-day may reasonably be supposed to feel 
any special interest, was the division of the Colony of Virginia, 



72 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



Booksellers, Stationers, 

AND DEALERS IN 

MUSIC AND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, 

210 High Street, PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

Pianos Sold on Monthly Payments, for Rent, Bought and 
Exchanged. 

WB^!l>OW SHADES, CO^^ICE, POLES, &C. 

Before purchasing call on or write to us for our prices. You 
will save money. Liberal discounts to Teachers and the Trade. 

School for Wlisses and Young Ladies. 

ODD FELLOWS' HALL, MlDDLc ST., BETWEEN LONDON AND GLASGOW. 

Preparatory and Collegiate Course in Classics, Mathematics, 
Sciences and the English Branches. 

For further information see circular. 

Mrs. ALICE H. JEJ^KIMS, Principal, 

PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

BUTT & I^EViLLE, 
Market Square. - - - - PORTSIVIOUTH, VA., 

DEALERS IN 

Foreign and Domestic Hardware ; Railroad, Steamboat, Saw 

Mill and Engineers' Supplies of all kinds ; Paints, Oils, 

and Glass ; Carpenters' and Plumbers' Material ; 

Ship Chandlery Goods of all kinds. 

Copper, Brass, Lead, Steel, Iron and Petals Generally. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 



73 



in 1634, into eight " Shires," with only one of which — first 
called Warrosquyoake (or Warrosquoyacke or Warrosqui- 
joake), afterwards Isle of Wight — we have anything to do. 
These shires were to be governed like their English prototypes ; 
lieutenants were to be appointed, whose special duty it should 
be to keep a wary eye and a heavy hand upon the hostile 




MR. JOHN A.. MILLIGAN'S RESIDENCE. 

Indians, Sheriffs, sergeants, bailiffs and other officials were to 
be elected for the purposes of enforcing the law and adminis- 
tering the local government. 

WARROSQUYOAKE DIVIDED INTO COUNTIES. 

In the year 1639, five years after the establishment of 
Warrosquyoake as a shire, the latter was subdivided into 



74 



SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



THE OCEAN HOUSE, 

CORNER HIGH AND COURT STREETS., PORTSMOUTH, VA. 




This well-known LEADJN'G HOTEL has been thoroughly renovated 
and refurnished, and now offers unsurpassed accommodations to 

TWO HUNDRED GUESTS. 

It is centrally situated, being in close proximity to the Post Office, 
Banks, Telegraph Offices, Court House, City Hall and other places of busi- 
ness usually sought by visitors. 

Lighted with Gas and Heated by Steam throughout. Large 

and well lighted Sample Rooms. 

Telephone communication with Norfolk and Berkley. 

THE GREAT WINTER SANATORIUM OF THE SOUTH. 

NEWTON & WOODLEY, Proprietors. 



Its t'EOPLE AND its TRAbE. f^ 



three counties, namely, Isle of Wight and Upper and Lower 
Norfolk. This subdivision was confirmed in March, 1642, by 
an Act of the General Assembly, (HenniKg's Statutes at Large, 
Vol. L p. 247) as follows : 

" Be it also enacted and confirmed for a finall determination of the 
Isle of Weight County, Vpper and Lower Norff: Countyes, &c. * * 
And the vpper county of New Norff: to begin at the aforesaid plantation 
of Rich: Hayes and from therlce into the woods southerly as aforesaid, 
and by the mayne river, from thence to extend downe by the mayne river 
into the creeke near vnto the plantation of ffrancis Bullock, being the first 
creeke to the westward of Crayne Poynt, including the plantation of the 
said ffrancis Bullock, and no waies touching vpon the Western Branch of 
Elizabeth River, nor the creeks thereof which do belong to the county of 
the Lower Norff:" 

The name of Upper Norfolk (or Norff) was changed in 
1645-6 to Nansemond. 
!, :'. SUBDIVISION OF LOWER NORFOLK COUNTY. 

In April, 1691, (Henning's Statutes at Large, Vol. Ill p. 
95) an Act was passed dividing Lower Norfolk into two 
Counties and defining their boundaries, '' and that the upper- 
most of the said two counties, in which Elizabeth River and 
the branches thereof are included, doe retain and be ever 
hereafter called^and known by the name of Norfolk County, 
and that the other of the said two counties be called and known 
by the najire of Princess Ann County." 

"BENN'S CHURCH." 

This venerable structure, although, strictly speaking, it 
does not belong to this city or county, is nevertheless so closely 
allied to us by tradition, and so endeared to us by its ancient 



76 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

Atlantic Coast Line. 



Fast Mail Passenger Route. 



BOSTON, NEW YORK,PHILADELPHIA,BALTIMORE. 
WASHINGTON, NORFOLK 

AND 

WILMINGTON, CHARLESTON, SAVANNAH, THOM- 
ASVILLE, JACKSONVILLE, TAMPA. 

ALL FLOniDA POEnTS AHD HAVANA, CUBA. 



NEW ORLEANS, 

VIA 

WILMINGTON, CHARLESTON, SAVANNAH, PENSACOLA AND 

MOBILE. 

Pullman's Parlor, Buffet and Sleeping Cars on all Trains. 

H. WALTERS, SOL HAAS, T. IVI. EIVIERSON, 

General Manager, Trafic Manager, General Passenger Agent, 

Wilmington, N. C. Richmond, Va. Wilmington, N. C. 



its PEOiPLE AND ITS TRADEi. 



77 



associations with our ancestors, that it has been selected as a 
fitting illustration for our Sketch Book, being one of the most 
hallowed monuments in Virginia, and still standing within the 
limits of the original " shire" of which Norfolk and Princess Anne 
Counties formed a portion prior to 1639. 

Mr. Howe thus describes it in his " Historical Collections 
of Virginia," published in 1856: 




THE OLDEST CHURCH IN VIRGINIA. 
" Within an hour's ride from Smithfield, near the road to Suffolk, in 
the depths of the forest, stands an ancient church in ruins. It is alike an 
object of interest from its secluded situation and its great antiquity. We 
have before us a communication from a highly respectable gentleman of 
this vicinity, which gives strong evidence that it was built in the reign of 
Charles I, between the years 1630 and 1635, Tradition, too, states that it 
was the second church erected in Virginia. The brick, lime and timber 



78 SKETCH Book OF PORfSMOUttt, VA. 




CASTNER & Co, Limited, 

GENERAL TIDE-WATER COAL AGENTS. 

POCAHONTAS FLAT TOP 8Eil-BSTUM!N0US COAL, 



SHIPPING POINT : 

LAMBERT'S PIER, NEAR NORFOLK, VIRGINIA. 

UNEQUALLED AS A COALING STATION FOR STEAMERS. 

Our coal piers have a draft of water of 26 feet at low tide, enabling us 
to coal the largest steamers with ease and unusual dispatch. 

Steamers will save over 200 miles of journey by coaling at Norfolk 
rather than at Halifax and also avoid delays and dangers caused by fogs 
and ice in the vicinity of Halifax. 

GENERAL OFFICE: 

20s Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa., U. S. A. 

Branch Houses at New York, Boston and Baltimore. 



:, LAMB & CO., Agents, 

NORFOLK, VA. 

wmTlamb & co^, 

SHIP AND STEAMSHIP AQENTS, 

NORFOLK, VA. 
Branch Office at Fort Monroe, Hampton Roads, Va. 

Vice-Consulates of Germany, Sweden and Norway. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. ']9 



were imported from Eni^land. The timber is English oak and was framed 
before shipment. The whole structure was built in the most substantial 
manner; and, even now, the wood-work, where not exposed to rain, is 
perfectly sound, and the mortar sufficiently hard to strike fire when in col- 
lision with steel. The structure is of brick, has a lofty tower, and is in 
good preservatibn. Its walls are overrun witli a delicate net-work of vines. 
" In its day it was a splendid edifice. One window, of about 25 feet 
in height, was composed of painted glass, representing scriptural subjects. 
It was probably al^andoned about the time of the American Revolution, 
when the Episcopal Church, for a time, became nearly extinct in Virginia. 
Within the last twenty-five years it has been temporarily occupied by a 
sect called O'Kellyites. There is a project, which may be carried into 
effect, to repair it. If successful, generations yet unborn will meet within 
its time-hallowed walls, where, even now, more than two centuries have 
elapsed since their forefathers first raised the liymn of praise to the I^iving 
God." 

MUNICIPAL. 

In February, 1752, while George the Second reigned in 
England and Thomas Lee, as acting Governor, administered 
the affairs of Colonial Virginia at its ancient capital, Williams- 
burg, pending the arrival from England of Gooch's successor, 
Governor Dinwiddie, the Assembly passed an Act (Henning's 
Statutes at Large, Vol. VL p. 265) by which Portsmouth 
entered upon its municipal existence. It began as follows : 

"Whereas it hath been represented to the Assembly that William 
Crawford, of the County of Norfolk, gentleman, hath lately laid out a 
parcel of land, on the south side of Elizabeth River, opposite to the town 
of Norfolk, into one hundred and twenty-tv>o lots, commodious streets, 
places for a Court House, market and public landings, for a town by the 
name of Portsmouth, and made sale of most of the said lots to divers per- 
sons who are desirous to settle and build thereon speedily ; and also that 
the said town lies very convenient for trade and navigation ; 



8o SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

Established 1^10. 

T» O'COWi^OR, 

FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC 

DRY GOODS 

The Lnrgest and Finest Line of Goods in the City. 



Headquarters for Handsome Dress Goods, Silks, Satins, Plain 
and Brocade Velvets, Fringes, Trimmings, Etc. 



Embraces the Handsomest and Latest Designs. Always on 
hand a beautiful line of 



WW, 

And an Endless Variety of 



A FULL LINE OF ZEPHYR YARN IN ALL SHADES. 



As we buy direct from the Importers and Manufacturers we can afford 
to sell at the LOWEST PRICES. 

^Samples sent on application, and orders by mail promptly and carefully 
filled. 

222 High Street, 
po. Box 319 PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 



8i 



"Be it enacted, &c., that the said piece or parcel of land be and is 
Tiereby constituted, appointed, erected and established a town, &c., to be 
called by and retain the name of Portsmouth," &c. 

In May, 1763, the town was enlarged by the addition of 
Thomas Veal's land, and Andrew Sprowle, George Veal, 
Thomas Veal, Charles Stewart, Humphrey Roberts, Francis 
Miller, James Rae, David Purcell and Amos Etheridge, gen- 




MAUPIN'S HALL— THE PROPERTY OF DR. G. W. O. MAUPIN. 

tlemen, were appointed directors and trustees of said town, 
"with power to survey and lay off said lands, &c. 

Twenty years later, (May, 1783,) the trustees were empow- 
ered "to assess the freeholders and inhabitants of the said 
town, so as such assessment do not exceed three shillings for 
every tithable, and one and an half per centum on the valuation 
of the real property therein," the proceeds of such assessment 



82 



SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



Q. & C. MERRIAM & CO., Publishers, 




Springfield, Mass. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 83 



to be appropriated to the erection of a market house, repairing 
streets and other public improvements. 

In October, 1784, an Act was passed enlarging the number 
of trustees to twelve, and in October, 1790, another Act pro- 
vided " that it shall be lawful for John Kearnes, Wills Cowper, 
Willis Wilson, Samuel Davis, John Nevison, Richard Blow, 
Josiah Butts, James Young, James B. Nickolls and John Cowper, 
junior, gentlemen, trustees, or a majority of them, to raise, by 
one or more lotteries, a sum not exceeding four hundred 
pounds, and that they, or a majority of them, shall sell the lots 
lying on the back part of the town of Portsmouth, formerly 
■called Gosport, the property of this Commonwealth," &c. The 
proceeds of this sale and the lotteries were to be applied 
towards " erecting a bridge over the creek, and raising a solid 
causey over the marsh dividing that part of the town known 
by the name of Gosport from the other part, and for cutting 
a road from the said bridge to Deep Creek." 

On January 20th,. 1801, an Act was passed authorizing the 
removal of the County Court of Norfolk County from the Town 
of Washington (now Berkley) to the Town of Portsmouth, so 
soon as the Court House and Jail should be erected at the last 
named place. 

A year later the County Court was authorized to appro- 
priate $3,000 towards finishing the Court House and Prison in 
Portsmouth, to be repaid from the sale of the old Court House, 
and if any surplus remained, it was to be paid to the inhabitants 
who had subscribed towards the new building, which stood on 
the corner now occupied by the western end of the Ocean 
House — the Clerk's Office and jail being situated on the 



84 



SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



F. F. McWiLKiK. G. A. Martin, Jr. 



MARTIN & McWlLKIE. 
Attorneys-at-Law 

AND 

NOTARIES PUBLIC, 

Office, 407 Court St., 
PORTSMOUTH, VA. 
P. 0. Box 86, 



WM. H, STEWART, 

Attorney-at-Law 

AND 

NOTARY PUBLIC, 

Office, 511 IVIiddle St., 
PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



Commissioner in Chancery for Hus- 
tings Court of Portsmouth and County- 
Court of Norfolk. ' 



Legh R. Watts. G. Hatton. 



Watts & Hatton, 

ATTORNEYS 

AND 

Counsellors-at-Law, 

408 Court St., 
PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



Refer to Bank of Portsmouth, Ports- 
mouth, Va., Citizens' Bank, Norfolk, Va. 



A. S. WATTS, 
Attorney-at-Law, 



Office on Court Street, 



PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



CITY ATTORNEY. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 



85 



opposite corner, where the present Coui't House stands. The 
latter was finished and occupied in 1846, under the authority of 
an Act of the Legislature. 

Various other Acts were passed, from time to time, enlarg- 
ing the powers of the trustees and extending the area of the 
town, until, on February 19th, 1819, the trustees were declared 
and made a body corporate and politic, under the name of 




LAKE KILBY — Reservoir and Engine House of the Portsmouth Water Co. 

*' The Trustees of Portsmouth," with power to pass by-laws, &c. 
In 1834, the trustees were empowered to prohibit the erec- 
tion of buildings within a certain area, unless the outer walls 
were of brick or stone. In 1836, they were given power to 
pave and grade streets, erect street lamps, regulate the con- 
struction of wharves, erect town-hall, purchase land for public 
squares, &c. In 1838, the firemen were exempted from jury 



86 



SKETCH LOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

















"-A 

1— ( 






■ 




^ 






< 










> 


^^ 


^ 






• w 


"^ 









z 


en 


H 





>■ 


H 


& 

v> 
GQ 


1^ 

1— 1 


a* 
H 




3 





<A 




5 


s 


o 


u 


S 


bJ 


ea 


O 






g. 


h- 


1— 


(0 

< 





.E 


>< 


h-l 




E 




b« 


=q 




E 


HJ 


,^ 


of 


^ 


RiTia 


EU 




Q 


g 


< 













1- 


.0 

> 





g 


^ 


ea 




1— i 
H 










3 


Ph 






■■ 


zs 




tn 






X 
00 





ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 87 



service. In 1848, the Commissioners of the pubUc schools 
were incorporated. 

In 1852, an Act was passed authorizing the voters of 
Portsmouth to elect, in lieu of the Board of Trustees, a Common 
Council, consisting- of thirteen Councilmen, with all the powers 
and rights of said Trustees. Also annually to elect a Mayor — 
the election of said Mayor and Councilmen to be held on the 
first Saturday in April. 

And, finally, on the ist of March, 1858, the Town of 
Portsmouth was raised to the dignity of a City; the Hustings 
Court was established and provision made for the election and 
appointment of all officers, &c., &c. 

THE MAYORS OF PORTSMOUTH. 

As a matter of interest to the resident reader, the following 
list of the Chief Magistrates of the City, in the order of their 
succession, is given : 

1. John S. White, elected for one year, 1852 ; re-elected, 

1853. 

2. Hezekiah Stoakes, elected for one year, 1854. 

3. D. D. Fiske, elected for one year, 1855. 

4. James G. Hodges, elected for one year, 1856 ; re-elected, 

1857. 

5. George W. Grice, elected for one year, 1858 ; re-elected, 

1859 and i860. 

6. John O. Lawrence, elected for one year, 1861. 

7. John Nash, elected for one year, 1862; had served only 
one month when the City was placed under martial law. 

8. Daniel Collins, elected for one year, 1863: re-elected, 
1864 and 1865. 



88 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



"Portsmouth Barrain House, 



DEALER IN 



stoves, Boots, Shoes, Glass, Crockery, Wooden, Willow 
Cor. High and Washington Sts., - P0RT81VI0UTH, VA. 

Carrying a General Line of Goods, as we do, enables us to 

sell them cheaper than any other house in Portsmouth. 

GOODS SOLD ON INSTALLMENTS. 



W. V. H. WILLIAMS. J. C. EMMERSON. 

WILLIAMS & E^^ERS< 



'» 



Real Estate Agents^. 

217 High Street, - - PORTSiVlOUTH, VA. 

The Buying and Selling of City and Country Real Estate 
promptly attended to. Correspondence Solicited. 

CITY STOVE HOUSE, 

Established 1866. 

ALEXANDER & POWELL, 

Manufacturers of and Dealers in 
PLAIN, JAPANNED AND STAMPED TINWARE. 
Stoves, Heaters, Ranges, &c., &c„ Lamps and House-Furnishing Goods, Tin Roofing- 
Plumbing and Gas Fitting. 
Have just received a large assortment of Refrigerators, Water Coolers, Plain and Pat- 
ent ; Finzers' Fruit Jars, &c., for Summer use ; Also, OIL STOVES of the latest and 
most improved patents. 

519 Crawford Street, • . • PORTSMOUTH. VA. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 



89 



9. James C, White, elected for one year, 1866; under the 
Reconstruction Act Mr. White served beyond the legal term 
for which he had been elected. 

10. James E, Stoakes, appointed by General Schoolfield^ 
May I St, 1868. 

11. E. W. Whipple, appointed by General Canby, Octo- 
ber 5th, 1869. 




RESIDENCE OF MR. B. H. OWENS. 

12. Philip G. Thomas, elected for one year, 1870; re- 
elected, 187 1. 

13. A. S. Watts, elected for two years, 1872; re-elected, 1874. 

14. John O'Connor, elected for two years, 1876. 

15. J. Thompson Baird, elected for two years, 1878; 
has been re-elected at each subsequent election — 1880, 1882, 
1884 and 1886 — and is the present incumbent of the office. 



90 



SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



J. & C. WHITEHURST, 

Choice Family Groceries, 




CIGARS, TOBACCO, CROCKERY AND GLASS WARE, 

CONFECTIONERIES, NOTIONS, 

And Dealers in all kinds of 

FRESH MEATS & VEGETABLES IN SEASON. 
WOOD AND COAL. 

700 Glasgow Street, - - PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 91 



THE HUSTINGS COURT. 

On the 4th day of May, 1858, in pursuance of the " Act 
incorporating the Town of Portsmouth as a City," &c., the 
Court of Hustings held its first session at the Court House. 
The Aldermen present on the occasion were : Samuel Watts,. 
Arthur R. Smith, John Nash, William H. Morris, Moss W. 
Armistead, John S. White, Robert Dickerson, Wm. H. Davis 
and Edward Kearns. Alderman Smith presided and ordered 
to be recorded the certificates of qualification of the Alder- 
men who had been elected on April 22nd preceeding, viz : 
John Nash, Robert Dickerson, Wm. W. Davis, Arthur R. 
Smith, Wm. H. Peters and Wm. H. Morris, Aldermen for 
Jackson Ward ; and Samuel Watts, John S. White, Charles 
R. McAlpine, Edward Kearns, Robert H. Cutherell and Moss 
W. Armistead, Aldermen for Jefiferson Ward. 

The following officers, having also been duly elected, qual- 
ified at this first term of the Hustings Court : Arthur Emmerson„ 
Clerk ; David J. Godwin, Commonwealth's Attorney ; Claudius 
W. Murdaugh, L. C. P. Cowper and Virginius O. Cassell,, 
Commissioners in Chancery; Joseph Hobday, Commissioner 
of the Revenue ; Herman Mathews, Constable ; Wm. H. Bingley,. 
Deputy Clerk. Jas. Murdaugh, John S. Stubbs, L. C. P. Cow- 
per, J. M. Brickhouse, James G. Holladay, James F. Crocker,. 
D.J. Godwin, C. W. Murdaugh, V. O. Cassell, P. H. Daughtrey 
and Abram S. Watts, qualified to practice law in this Court ; 
and D. J. Godwin, C. W. Murdaugh, A. S. Watts and John 
Emmerson qualified as Notaries Public, under commissions from 
His Excellency Henry A. Wise, Governor of Virginia. 



92 



SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



DEALERS IN 




s, Notions, 




Cloak, Blanket and Uoderwear Department 



Is the largest in the city. In our spacious 



We carry an immense stock of 

CARPETS, RUGS, OIL CLOTHS, WINDOW SHADES 
AND MATTINGS. 

300 High Street and 408 and 410 Middle Street, 



Portsmontli, Va. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 



93 



THE PARISH OF TORTSMOUTH. 

Prior to 1761, Portsmouth lay in the large original parish 
ot Elizabeth River, which, however, had become unwieldly, 
owing to the increase of the population in the extended area 
which it covered. In March of that year, the General Assembly 
passed an Act for the relief of the parishioners, beginning as 
follows : 




BIRD'S-EYE VIEW, LOOKING SOUTH— From G. Armstrong & Son's Saw Mill. 

" Whereas the parish of Elizabeth River, in the County of Norfolk, 
"by reason of the great extent thereof, is very inconvenient to the inhabi- 
tants, who have petitioned this present General Assembly that the same 
may be divided into three distinct parishes ; Be it therefore enacted, &c., 
that from and after the first day of May next all that part of the said parish 
lying to the northward and eastward of Elizabeth River and the Eastern 
Branch thereof shall be one distinct parish and retain the name of 
Elizabeth River; and that all that part of the said parish lying between 



94 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



DEALER IN 




Has always on hand a full stock of 

FIRST-CLASS PmE & HARD 

Also the best grades of 

HARD AND SOFT COAL, 
AT THE 

Up-Town Wood and Coal Yard; 

1203 Washington St., Portsmouth, Va. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE 95 

the Eastern and Southern Branches of the said river, running up New Mill 
Creek to Rotthery's mill, thence south, thirty degrees west, to the great 
Dismal Swamp, as far as the line dividing this Colony from North Carolina, 
and thence down the said line to the line of Princess Anne County, thence 
along the last mentioned line to the Eastern Branch of Elizabeth River, 
shall be another distinct parish, and shall be called and known by the 
name of St. Bride's ; and that the remaining part of the said parish shall 
be one other distinct parish and shall be called and known by the name of 
Portsmouth. 

" And whereas the vestry of said parish of Elizabeth River have been 
guilty of some illegal practices, oppressive to the inhabitants thereof, who 
have petitioned this present General Assembly that the said vestry maybe 
dissolved ; be it therefore further enacted, &c., that from and after the first 
day of May next the aforesaid vestry be, and the same is hereby dissolved, 
&c. 

" And be it further enacted, by the authority aforesaid, that the free- 
holders and housekeepers of the said parishes of Elizabeth River and St. 
Bride's and Portsmouth, respectively, shall meet at some convenient time 
and place, to be appointed and publickly advertised by the Sheriff of the 
said County of Norfolk, at least one month before the eighth day of June 
next following, and then and there elect twelve of the most able and dis- 
creet persons of their respective parishes to be vestrymen thereof, who 
having, in the Court of the said County, taken and subscribed the oaths 
appointed to be taken by Act of Parliament instead of the oaths of allegi- 
ance and supremacy, and taken and subscribed the oath of abjuration, 
and repeated and subscribed the test, and also subscribed to be conforma- 
able to the doctrine and discipline of the Church of England, shall, to all 
intents and purposes, be deemed and taken to be the vestrymen of the 
said parishes, respectively." 

The Act further provided for the sale of certain glebe lands, 
the proceeds of which were to be divided between the three 
parishes, and also for the partition among them of the funds 
collected by the vestry of the mother parish for parochial 



^96 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

mLAiyD^ryAV|CATiON 

" THE 

Albemarle ? Chesapeake Canal 

TOGETHER WITH THE 

ihiph I Delaware Eanal i Sdaware I Earitan Canal, 

Form the Great Inland Navigation from 

NEW YORK, PHILADELPHIA & BALTIMORE 

—TO- 
NORTH CAROLINA AND THE SOUTH, 

By Canals and Inland Navigation for Steamboats, Sailing Vessels, 

Rafts, &c., avoiding the dangers of Hatteras and the Coast of 

North Carolina, saving time and Insurance. 

DIMENSIONS OF CANALS AND LOCKS. 

CANALS. MILES LOCKS. 

Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal. 14 
Chesapeake and Delaware Canal. . 14 

Delaware and Raritan Canal 43 

Erie, of New York 345 

Light-draft steamers bound to Charleston, Savannah, Florida and the 
West Indies take this route. 

Steam tug-boats leave Norfolk, towing sail vessels, barges, rafts, &c., 
to and from North Carolina to Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York. 

For Rates of Tolls. Towing, Maps, Charts, &c., apply to 

CHESAPEAKE AND DELAWARE CANAL COMPANY 
528 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, or to 

Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal Co., Norfolk, Ya., 

21 6RANBY STREET. 



Length Ft. 


Width Ft. 


Depth Ft. 


220 


40 


7 


220 


24 


9 


220 


24 


7 


IIO 


18 


7 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 



97 



purposes. This last-mentioned fund, when realized, was to be 
devoted to the building; of churches, &c., in the new parishes. 
Accordingly, in the following year, 1762, the parish of Ports- 
mouth built unto itself a parish Church — Old Trinity — which 
was restored and put in its present condition in the year 1829. 




COURT STREET BAPTIST CHURCH, 

Of Portsmouth Parish, Bishpp Meade writes (in 1857) as 
follows : 

"Of this I have rather more info rmat ion, though no vestirybook-^terv' 
1 761 affords it. 

" We have seen that the Rev. Charles Smith was its minister when he 
died in 1773. He was succeeded in I774by'the Rev. William Braidfoot 



98 



SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



JOHN C. ASHTON, 



Kerseys, 



Meltons, 



Cheviots, 



Tricots, 



Worsteds, , 



Cassimeres. 



Suits to Order. 



Jas. Veale, Cutter. 




Shirts^ 



SockSy 



Drawers^ 

CollarSy 

Cliffs, 

Scarfs, 

Silk Neckl Ties\ 

HandkerchiefSy 



Cloths, Cassimeres and Men's Furnishings, 

No. 305 High Street, Portsmouth, Va. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 99 

He was a native of Scotland, and had not been long in the ministry when 
it became evident that war between England and the Colonies was inev- 
itable ; and, as he believed the Colonies were contending for their just 
rights, he warmly espoused their cause, and entered the army as chaplain, 
continuing to fill that station until the close of the war, when he returned 
to Portsmouth Parish, and died at the glebe about the year 1784 or 1785. 
Mr. Braidfoot married a Miss Mosely, of Princess Anne, and left one son, 
whose descendants are now living in Portsmouth. Mr. Braidfoot was 
succeeded by the Rev. Arthur Emmerson, son of one of the same name, 
who was minister on the Eastern Shore. The son was minister in Meher- 
rin parish, Greensville, and in Nansemond, before coming to Portsmouth 
in 1785. He ministered there from that time until 1801, much esteemed 
as a man and minister, though from feeble health unable to lead an active 
life. His wife was the widow of the Rev. John Nivison. He was fol- 
lowed by the Rev. George Young, who continued until the year 1808 or 
1809. After his death or resignation, there was a vacancy until the year 
1821. when the present rector, the Rev. Mr. Wingfield, began his labors in 
that parish. In the absence of any vestry book to supply the names of 
vestrymen before the time of Mr. Wingfield, I mention the following 
names of old friends of the church : — Sproull, Chisholm, Agnew, Herbert, 
Hansford, Joins, Dyson, Porter, Godfrey, Wilson, Wallington, Tankard, 
Parker, Veal, Roberts, Nivison, Marsh, North, Edwards, Davis, Luke, 
Cowper, Blow, Braidfoot, Dickson, Thompson, Young, Kearns, Grew, 
Garrow, Kidd, Mathews, Brown, Etheridge, Mushrow, Skelton, Pearce, 
•Satchwell, Milhado, Cox, Butt, Maupin, Swift. 

" As to churches, there were three built in Portsmouth Parish, — one 
in the town of Portsmouth, in 1762, on a lot in the centre of the town, 
given by William Crawford, Esq., the original proprietor of the land on 
which the town is built ; one on the north bank of the Western Branch, 
and one near a village called Deep Creek. The church in Portsmouth 
was rebuilt and enlarged in 1829, under the rectorship of Mr. Wingfield. 
The country churches have long since fallen into ruins. When the pres- 
ent rector took charge of the parish in 1 821, the vestry had long since 
been dissolved, and the members of the three congregations had united 



lOO SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



ESTABLISHED BY D. D. F13KE IN 1840. 



WM. A. FISKE, 

{Successor to W. A. Fiske &= Bro) 

Printing#Bookbindin; 

' 108 HidH STREET, 

PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



COMPLETE FACILITIES, GOOD WORK, s 
LOW PRICES. 



Having PAPER RULING Machinery and appliances, I 
am prepared to furnish blank forms for TRANSPORTATION 
COMPANIES promptly, and refer to the managing officers of 
the following Lines, whose patronage, for many years, I have 
had for the various descriptions of Railroad and Steamboat 
printing : 

Seaboard aiid Roanoke Railroad, 

Atlantic Coast Line, Seaboard Air Line, Baltimore Steam 

Packet Co., Clyde Line Steamers, Albemarle 

Steam Navigation Co. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 



lOI 



themselves — as in many other places — with the various surrounding de- 
nominations. 

" A few years since another congregation was formed in Portsmouth, 
a church built (St. John's), and the Rev. James Chisholm called to be its 
rector. After laboring zealously and preaching faithfully and affection- 
ately for some years, he fell a victim, during the summer of 1855, to the 
yellow fever, when, with the spirit of a martyr, he was nursing the sick 
and dying of his congregation and of the town,. For the particulars of the 




NAVAL HOSPITAL — Official Residence of the Medical Director. 

life and death and character of this most talented and interesting young 
minister of the Gospel, I refer my readers to the ' Memoirs of the Rev, 
James Chisholm' by his particular friend and former parishioner, Mr. 
Conrad, of Martinsburg, — a biography which for thrilling interest is not 
easily surpassed." ******* 

INCIDENTS OF THE REVOLUTION. 

Portsmouth and its vicinity witnessed some important 
military events in the War of the Revolution, and our harbor 



I02 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

JOHN C. KAUFMAN, 

DEALER IN FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC 

DRY GOODS, 




'f" "i ' ^. \. 'P - 






Ladies' and Gents' Underwear, 

CORSETS, GLOVES, HOSIERY, 

RIBBONS, &G. 

Carpets, Mattings and Oil Cloths, 

LINEN WINDOW SHADES. 

No. 307 High Street, 

0pp. Oxford Hal!. PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. IO3 



was the principal rendezvous of the British fleet, to which 
Lord Dunmore, the last " Royal " Governor of Virginia, had 
fled at the outbreak of active hostilities. The State Govern- 
ment turned all its attention to this point, where the danger 
appeared most formidable. Dunmore became alarmed at their 
defensive preparations and constructed batteries and intrench- 
ments in the neighborhood, armed the tories and negroes, and 
levied upon the country people for cattle and provisions. The 
Virginia Government dispatched a detachment of minute-men, 
under Col. Woodford, into the county, with general instruc- 
tions. 

" Dunmore," says Botta, " apprised, of this movement, very prudently 
occupied a strong position upon the North bank of Elizabeth River, called 
Great Bridge, a few miles above Portsmouth. This point was situated 
upon the direct route of the provincial troops. Here he threw up works 
upon the Norfolk side and furnished them with a numerous artillery. The 
intrenchments were surrounded on every part with water and marshes, 
and were only accessible by a long dike. As to the forces of the Gover- 
nor, they were little formidable : he had only 200 regulars and a corps of 
Norfolk volunteers ; the residue consisted in a shapeless mass of varlets of 
every color. The Virginians took post over against the English, in a 
small village at a cannon-shot distance. Before them they had a long, 
narrow dike, the extremity of which they also fortified. In this state the 
two parties remained for several days without making any movement." 

THE BATTLE OF GREAT BRIDGE. 

^^.[ Stratagem was at last employed by the Virginians to 
precipitate operations. A servant of Major Marshall (father of 
the great Chief Justice) after receiving careful instructions, 
deserted to the enemy, and informed Lord Dunmore that the 
colonial forces at the Bridge did not exceed 300 " shirt men," 



I04 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA, 



9 

DEALER IN 

FINE FAMILY GROCERIES, 

FRESH ROASTED COFFEE, (GROUD DAILY,) HIGH GRADE 

FLOUR, CHOICE SMITHFIELD HAMS, 

GILT EDGE BUTTER. 

520 MARKET SQUARE, 

PORTSMOUTH, VA. 
"~ MRS. E. BOURDETT, 



DEALER IN 

NOTIONS, FANCY GOODS, RIBBONS, &C., 
406 Crawford St, Portsmouth, Va. 

All Ordei's Attended to with Neatness and Dispatch. 



WHOLESALE DEALER IN 



TOBACCO & CIGARS, 

524 Middle Street and 301 King street, 

PortsmoTith, Va. 



ITS PEOPLE AND IT§ TRADE. IO5 



as the Virginians, whose uniform (?) consisted chiefly of hunt- 
ing shirts, had been nick-named. Beheving the story, the 
Governor, on the morning of December 9th, 1775. dispatched 
about 200 regulars and 300 volunteers, white black and mixed, 
under Captain Fordyce, to annihilate the " rebels." The fol- 
lowing account of this action, in which the British were signally 
defeated, was published, five days later, in the Virgi7iia Ga- 
zette : 

" The Great Bridge is built over what is called the Southern Branch 
of Elizabeth River, 12 miles above Portsmouth. The land on each side is 
marshy to a considerable distance from the river, except at the two ex- 
tremities of the bridge, where are two pieces of firm land, which may, not 
improperly, be called islands, being entirely sun-ounded by water and 
marsh, and joined to the main land by causeways. On the little piece of 
firm ground on the further or Norfolk side. Lord Dunmore had erected his 
fort, in such a manner that his cannon commanded the causeway on his 
own side and the bridges between him and us, with the marshes around 
him. The island on this side of the river contained six or seven houses, 
some of which were burnt down (those nearest the bridge) by the enemy, 
after the arrival of our troops ; in the others, adjoining the causeway on 
each side, were stationed a guard every night by Col. Woodford, but with- 
drawn before day, that they might not be exposed to the fire of the ene- 
my's fort in recrossing the causeway to our camp, this causeway also being 
commanded by their cannon. 

" The causeway on our side, in length was about 160 yards, and on 
the hither extremity our breastwork was thrown up. From the breastwork 
ran a street, gradually ascending, about the length of 400 yards, to a 
church where our main body was encamped. * * * 

" On Saturday, the 9th inst., after reveille beating, two or three great 
guns and some musketry were discharged by the enemy, which, as it was 
not an unusual thing, was but little regarded by]Col. Woodford. How- 
ever, soon after he heard a call to the soldiers to stand by their arms, upon 



SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. IO7 



which, with all expedition, he made the proper dispositions to receive 
them. In the meantime the enemy had crossed the bridge, fired the re- 
maining houses upon the island, and some large piles of shingles, and 
attacked our guard in the breastwork. Our men returned the fire, and 
threw them into some confusion, but they were instantly rallied by Capt. 
Fordyce, and advanced along the causeway with great resolution, keeping 
up a constant and heavy fire as they approached. Two field-pieces, which 
had been brought across the bridge and placed on the edge of the island, 
facing the left of our breastwork, played briskly at the same time upon us. 
Lieut. Travis, who commanded in the breastwork, ordered his men to re- 
serve their fire until the enemy came within fifty yards, and then they gave 
it to them with terrible execution. The brave Fordyce exerted himself to 
keep up their spirits, reminded them of their ancient glory, and, waving 
his hat over his head encouragingly, told them th-edaywas their otvn. Thus 
pressing forward, he fell within fifteen steps of the breastwork. The 
progress of the enemy was now at an end, and they retreated over the 
causeway with precipitation, and were dreadfully galled in their rear. 

" Hitherto, on our side, only the guard, consisting of twenty-five, and 
some others, in the whole not amounting to more than ninety, had been 
engaged. Only the regulars of the 14th regiment, in number 120, had 
advanced upon the causeway; and about 230 negroes and tories had, after 
crossing the bridge, continued upon the island. The regulars, after re- 
treating along the causeway, were again rallied by Capt. Leslie, and the 
two field-pieces continued playing upon our men. It was at this time that 
Col. Woodford was advancing down the street to the breastwork with the 
main body, and against him was now directed the whole fire of the enemy. 
Never were cannon better served : yet in the face of them and the mus- 
ketry, which kept up a continual blaze, our men marched on with the 
utmost intrepidity. Col. Stevens, of the Culpeper battalion, was sent 
round to the left to flank the enemy, which was done with so much spirit 
and activity that a rout immediately ensued. The enemy fled into their 
fort, leaving behind them the two field-pieces, which, however, they took 
care to spike up with nails. 

" Many were killed^^and wounded in the flight ; but Col. Woodford 



I08 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



JOHN L WATSON, ADRIAN RIDDICK. 



Over $50,000,000 in Capital and Assets Represented. 



GENERAL INSURANCE 

AND 

RENTAL AGENCY, 
335 High Street, Portsmouth, Va., 



Representing the foUowing old and reliable English and 
American Companies : 

COMMERCIAL UNION ASSURANCE COMPANY 
of London, Eng. 

NEW YORK UNDERWRITERS' AGENCY of New 
York. 

AGRICULTURAL INSURANCE COMPANY of New 
York. 

FIDELITY AND CASUALTY COMPANY of New 
York ; and 

The Old Reliable WASHINGTON LIFE INSURANCE 
COMPANY of New York. 

Representing as Agents the above well-known Con\panies, and being 
correspondents for a number of other large Companies, we are enabled to 
place risks to any amount on all classes of property in this or any other 
State. 

Our RENTAL BUSINESS will still be kept the leading Agency of 
the city, and persons having property to rent cannot do better than place- 
it with this the oldest Agency. 

Thanking the public for their liberal patronage in the past, and with 
increased facilities we ask an increased patronage for the future. 

PO.BoxTl. WATSON & RIDDICK. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. , 109 

very prudently restrained his troops from pursuing the enemy too far. 
From the beginning of the attack, till the repulse at the breastwork, 
might be 14 or 15 minutes; till the total defeat, upwards of half an hour. 
It is said that some of the enemy preferred death to captivity, from fear 
of being scalped, which Lord Dunmore cruelly told them would be their 
fate should they be taken alive. Thirty-one killed and wounded fell into 
our hands, and the number borne off was much greater. * * * 

"What is not paralleled in history, and will scarcely be credible, except 
to such as acknowledge a Providence over human affairs, this victory was 
gained at the expense of no more than a slight wound in a soldier's hand ; 
and one circumstance which rendered it still more amazing is, that the 
field-pieces raked the whole length of the street, and absolutely threw 
double-headed shot as far as the church, and afterwards, as our troops 
approached, cannonaded them heavily with grape shot." 

DUNMORE'S REVENGE. 

The repulse of the British at Great Bridge determined the 
Virginians to march on Norfolk, " the stronghold of ministerial 
power amd the focus of hostile enterprise." On the approach 
of a strong detachment, under Colonel Stevens, the " loyalists " 
hastily abandoned their intrenchments, spiked and dismantled 
their cannon and resorted in large numbers to the fleet, as the 
best asylum against the " patriots." 

The latter, on acquiring the ascendancy, proceeded to 
make the situation very uncomfortable for the unfortunate tories 
who had remained on shore, either through reluctance to leave 
their property or through fear of the sea. The Governor was 
enraged at the insults and vexations to which his partisans 
were thus exposed and decided to avenge them. He sent a 
flag on shore demanding that the inhabitants should furnish 
him with provisioKS and cease firing. The reply was a flat 



no 



SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



JMANUFACTUVKRS OF 



BOXES AND CRATES 

of every description. Vegetable Boxes, Strawberry and Cab- 
bage Crates and all kinds of Packing 
Boxes made to order. 




Also sole proprietors of the FULTZ COMBINATION 
WIRE FENCE MACHINE for the State of Virginia. 

MACHINES AND COUNTY RIGHTS FOR SALE. 

Parties wishing to see Machines can do so at Jour Mill in 

Berkley, va. 

Would be pleased to correspond with parties wanting Fence 

or Boxes. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. Ill 



refusal to make any terms whatever. He then resolved to 
bombard and burn the town and notified the citizens of his 
design in order that the women, children and non-combatants 
might be removed to a place of safety. 

^he bombardment of Norfolk by the frigate Liverpool, 
two sloops of war and the ship Dunrnore, began on the ist of 
January, 1776, and resulted in the total destruction of the town 
by fire and the abandonment of its vicinity by the Virginians, 
who established fortified positions at Kemp's Landing, the 
Great Bridge and Suffolk. 

The difficulty experienced by Dunmore in procuring the 
necessary provisions compelled him. also to abandon his in- 
trenchments and to pursue a predatory warfare along the shores 
of Hampton Roads and Chesapeake Bay. He finally landed 
and intrenched himself at Gwyn's Island, in Mathews County, 
whence he was expelled by the provincials under Gen. -Lewis, 
on July 8th, 1776, with heavy loss. 

INVASION BY SIR GEORGE COLLIER. 

On the 9th of May, 1779, Hampton Roads was again 
invaded by a British fleet, commanded by Sir George Collier. 
The Government of the State had erected Fort Nelson, a short 
distance below Portsmouth, on the West bank of Elizabeth 
River (near the site now occupied by the Naval Hospital) to 
protect Portsmouth, Norfolk and the Marine Yard at Gosport. 
This work was garrisoned by about 150 men, who abandoned 
it and retired to the Dismal Swamp, on the approach of the 
enemy. 

A brief account of this invasion is given in the 4th volume of 



112 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

JAMES W. REED, 

Freight Broker, Exporter, 



AND DEALER IN 



Walnut, Cherry, Poplar and Hickory Logs, 

DOGWOOD AND PERSIMMON, 
"WHITE OAK TliVBeElt, Sl^yTTLE BLOCKS, 

WHITE OAK AND HICKORY SPOKES, 

Trenails and White Oak Wagon Planks. 

The above Woods BougJit or Forwarded on Commission. 

Freight engaged and Logs forwarded to any part of Europe 
on reasonable terms. Cable address, 

"REED/' 

PORTSMOUTH, YA. 



\ 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 



113 



the Virginia Historical Register, copied from "A Detail of some 
particular services performed in America during the years 1776, 
1777) 1778 ^nd 1779," published in England and probably- 
taken chiefly from a journal 
kept on board the ship Rain- 
bow, co.nmanded by Sir 
George Collier. After giving 
an account of the capture of 
the American fortifications by 
Gen. Matthews, and the dis- 
persion of the Virginia ilotilla, 
the narrative proceeds thus : 
"The Town of Portsmouth, 
within half a mile of the fort, was 
taken possession of at the same 
time. Norfolk, on the opposite 
"shore, and Gosport, where the 
rebels had fixed a capital marine 
-yard for building ships, were all 
abandoned at the same time by 
the enemy, and the men-of-war 
moved up into the harbor, where 
they moored. The enemy, pre- 
vious to their flight, set fire to a 
fine ship-of-war of 28 guns, ready 
for launching, belonging to Con- 
gress ; and alsj to two large 
French merchantmen, one of 
which was loaded with bale eoods 




COURT STREET PRESBYTERIAN 
CHURCH. 



and the other with a thousand hogsheads of bacon. The quantity of naval 
stores of all kinds found in their arsenals was astonishing. Many vessels of 
war were taken on the stocks in different forwardness : one of 36 guns ; one 



114 



SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 




MARK. 



T^J^^Si, 



A sure, safe, speedy and pleasant cure for Coughs Colds, 
Hoarseness, Whooping Cough, Etc. Try it. 

MOLENS 

Is a Cough Syrup that has been used for the last twenty years 
with unfailing success. It is purely an herb preparation. Con- 
tains no opiate, produces neither nausea nor headache, and can 
be given to the youngest child with perfect safety. Give 
MOLENE a fair trial and be convinced of its value. 

For further information, address G. A. KRIEGER, 
General Agent, Portsmouth, Va., JOHN W. BURROW, 
General Agent, Norfolk, Va., or S. S. MANNING, Manufac- 
ture and Sole Proprietor, 

P. 0. Box 227, Portsmouth, Va. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE II5 



of 18 ; three of 16 guns ; and three of 14, besides many merchantmen. The 
whole number taken, burnt and destroyed while the King's ships were in the 
river amounted to one Inindred and t/iiii)'-sevfn sail of vessels — a most 
distressing stroke to the rebels, even without other losses. * * 

* * * Many of the privateers and other vessels fled up the 
different branches of the river, but as there was no outlet the Commo- 
dore eitlier captured or destroyed them all. * * * General 
Matthews having made application to the Commodore that the troops 
might be re-eml)arked on the 24th of May, in order to return to New York, 
Sir George endeavored to dissuade that measure being carried into execu- 
tion till the return of the express he had sent to the Commander-in-chief 
of the army, to whom he had wrote in very strong terms, pointing out the 
infinite consequence it would be to the King's service, the keeping pos- 
session of Portsmouth, as the doing so would distress the rebels exceed- 
ingly, from their water communication from the Chesapeake being totally 
stopped, and by which Washington's army was supplied with provisions, 
and an end put to their foreign trade ; that the natural strength of the 
place was singularly great, both by sea and land, and might be maintained 
with a small force against a very superior one ; that the marine-yard was 
the most considerable one in America, and the quantity of seasoned oak 
timber there, for ship-building, very large ; which, as well as a vast deal 
of other stores, could not be embarked then for want of vessels, but might 
be sent, by degrees, to England, where it was much <vanted. * * * 
General Matthews, however, conceiving himself tjed down to the letter of 
his instructions, did not care to recede, and preparations were therefore 
made for abandoning this valuable settlement. As many of the naval 
stores as could be carried away were shipped off, but great quantities were 
unavoidably left behind an"d set on fire. The conflagration in the night 
appeared grand beyond description, though the sight was a nielattcholy one. 
Five thousand loads of fine seasoned oak-knees for ship-building, an in- 
finite quantity of plank, masts, cordage, and numbers of beautiful ships- 
of-war on the stocks, were at one time in a blaze, and all totally consumed, 
not a vestige remaining but the iron-work that such things had been." 



Il6 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



PHOTOGRAPHER 

Has ren/.oved to his commodious and^thoroughiy 
equipped studio, 

200 Main Street, 



All pictures taken by the New 

"INSTANTANEOUS PROCESS.'' 

ANTO. L. BILISOLY, M. D. WM. S. LANGHORNE. 

LAi^CHOR^E & BILISOLY, 

N. E. Cor. High and [fiddle Sts., & No. 1 Grice's Row, Market Sq., 



DRUGS, MEDICINES, PATENT MEDICINES 

Perfumery, Toilet Articles, Combs, Brushes. &c. Paints. Oils, Glass and Painters* 
Articles. Field, Flower and Garden Seeds fromjtlie best growers. 

PHYSICIANS' PRESCRIPTIONS CAREFULLY COi^ilPOUNDnD AT BOTH STORES. 



Watchmaker and Jeweler, 



DEALER IN 



CLOCKS, WATCHES AND JEWELRY, 
No. 227 High St., (Old No. 55), - - PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

REPAIRING DONE AT SHORT NOTICE. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 117 



The account from which the above is quoted states that on 
the day following that on which the squadron got to sea, they 
were rejoined by the express-boat, which had been sent to Sir 
Henry Clinton, and which brought his answer, " now of no 
consequence, as the evacuation of Portsmouth had taken 
place — a fatal and unfortunate measure, universally regretted 
by all who were acquainted with its importance, and the ad- 
vantages which would have resulted to Great Britain from its 
being in possession of the King's troops." This error the 
British vainly attenipted to repair two years later. 
LESLIE, ARNOLD AND CORNWALLIS. 

In October, 1780, Brigadier-General Leslie, with about 
three thousand troops from New York, landed at Portsmouth, 
and took possession of the ships and other property belonging 
to the Government. After a brief sojourn he sailed for 
Charleston, and shortly afterwards joined Lord Cornwallis. 

Three months later, in January, 17S1, the waters of Eliza- 
beth River were again entered — and this txriie polhcted — when 
the traitor, Benedict Arnold, invaded Virginia, and, for a time, 
made Portsmouth his head -quarters. Lord Cornwallis was also 
at Portsmouth, just previous to his fatal expedition to York- 
town. 

OF THE WAR WITH GREAT BRITAIN. 

In 181 2, Congress declared war against Great Britain, and 
for three years Virginia contributed liberally of her treasure, 
and the services of her people, to the defense of the country. 
As usual Portsmouth and the Gosport Navy-Yard were objects 
of special desire to the enemy, and in June, 181 3, a powerful 
British fleet entered Hampton Roads and approached Craney 



ii8 



SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



ESTABLISHED 1848. 



FINEW 



lESAND LIQ 

AT THE 

BLUE STORE. 




I am agent for the renowned GIBSON'S XXXX and DURHAM 
"WHISKEYS. These Whiskeys have been awarded the highest medals 
as the FINEST WHISKEYS in the world at the International Exhibi- 
tion at Paris, the Yorktown Centennial, the World's Industrial and Cotton 
Centennial Expositionheld at New Orleans, and all other Fairs. My cus- 
tomers cannot fail to feel a natural sense of pride to know that they are 
using the BEST AND PUREST OLD RYE WHISKEYS in the country. 
I have in store Taylor's Old L. D. Brandy, Jas. Hennessy's Brandy, Otard 
& Dupuy's Cognac, Jamaica Rum, Pure Holland Gin, Scotch and Irish 
Whiskeys ; Port, Sherry, Maderai, Catawba, Scuppernong, and all other 
Wines for Family and Medicinal use. Also dealer in London Porter, Scotch 
Ale and Bass' English Ale, Chewing and Smoking Tobacco, and fine Ci- 
gars direct from the best factors, and the oldest bottled stock of Fine Li- 
quors in the State, many of different brands over twenty-two years old. 

Persons desiring Old Goods in my line can find them at the BLUE 
STORE, 48 HIGH STREET. SMITH'S MONOGRAM A SPECIALTY. 

J. SMITH, Portsmouth, Va. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. II9 

Island, at the mouth of the Elizabeth River, where they met 
with a crushing defeat. 

This event is related by Mr. Perkins in his " Late War," 
as follows : 

" Before the British could enter the harbor, it was necessary to take 
possession of Craney Island. On the morning of the 22nd they were dis- 
covered passing round the point of Nansemond River, and landing on 
the main land in a position where the passage was fordable, with a view 
to pass over aud attack the works on the west side of the island, while at 
the same time a number of barges from the fleet attempted to land in 
front. These were attacked iDefore they reached the shore, from a battery 
on the beach, manned by the sailors and marines from the Constellatiom.nd 
the gun-boats. Three of the barges were sunk, most of the men drowned, 
and the rest compelled to retreat to their shipping. The party which 
landed at Nansemond were met and repulsed by the Virginia militia, and 
driven back to their ships, with the loss, including those in the barges, of 
upwards of two hundred in killed and wounded." 

LAKE DRUMMOND. 

Of all the curious phenomena with which this land of mar- 
vels abounds, this far-famed lake may certainly be ranked 
among the most wonderful. It lies wholly within the limits of 
the Great Dismal Swamp, of which it also occupies the highest 
elevation, being 22 feet above mean tide- water, into which it 
flows on all sides through natural or artificial channels. It is 
distant from Portsmouth about 18 miles, in a straight line, and 
about 25 miles by the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River 
and the Dismal Swamp Canal. From the Canal it is approached 
by a " feeder", four miles in length, literally tunnelled through 
the dense foliage of juniper, cypress, gum and other heavy 
timber, and the still denser thickets of reeds and undergrowth 



I20 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



H.2T. B. Ellenor, Established \%1^. I. C. Brinkley. 

of VVinton, N. C. of Gatesville, N. C. 



WHOLESALE AND RETAIL 

Grocers and Commission Merchants, 

patapsco;baking powder a specialty. 

Always on hand a good assortment of Flour, Bacon, Lard, 
Butter, Coffee, Tea, Sugar, Tobacco, Cigars, &c. 

No. 608 West Side iViarket Square, 

PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



Established 1S63. 



Manufacturer of all kinds of 



Superior Bread, Crackers, Cakes. 

FRENCH AND DOMESTIC CANDIES. 

Special attention given to Wholesale Orders. Hotels and Steamboats furnished with 

Bread, &c., on satisfactory terms 

Ornamental Cakes for Wedding-s and Parties, furnished at short notice. 
No. 515 Crawford St., PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

Established ^Z':,'!. 



DEALER IN 

FRUITS, VEGETABLES, EGGS AND POULTRY. 

STALL NO. 1, VEGETABLE IVIARKET, 

PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 



121 



which cover the quivering surface of the swamp. As the visitor 
emerges from the deep shadows of this silent pathway and 
gUdes -gut upon the broad bosom of the shoreless lake, he is at 
once impressed with the mysterious stillness and vast expanse 
of his surroundings — a voiceless, eternal solitude ! Fish are 
plentiful in the lake, but not a bird or a beast is to be found in 
its neighborhood ; though the outer margin of the Swamp is 
said to abound in deer, bears, wild turkeys and other objects 
of the hunter's delight. 




THE NAVY YARD — The "Fortune" and "Dolphin" lying at the Wharf. 

The Lake, says tradition, was first named Drummond's 
Pond, after the discoverer, who, wandering through the Swamp 
in search of game, came upon this sheet of water, and, by fol- 
lowing its margin, managed to find his way into the open 
country, while his two comrades, less fortunate than he, were 
lost and never again heard of. 

During his visit to Virginia in 1804, Erin's sweetest poet, 
Tom Moore, of melodious memory, wrote the following lines, 
which, although familiar to most readers, will bear repetition in 
Portsmouth's Sketch Book, by reason of their own intrinsic 



122 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

The Brambleton Floral Company 

Brambleton Ave., Norfolk, Va. 

Weddings, Funerals, Dinner Parties 
and all Public Occasions promptly sup- 
plied with Choice Flowers, made up in 
beautiful designs as ordered. 

10,000 Choice Roses. 

Flowers or Plants delivered to the Ex- 
press Company securely packed. Or- 
ders by mail or telephone No. 2o8. 
Orders left at our City Office, 138 Main 
St. (E. T, Thomas' Confectionery Store), 
will be telephoned and have prompt 
attention. 

H. 0. PERCY, BENJ. REYNOLDS, 

Treasurer. Super inteitdent. 

Special attention to Otit-of-Town Orders. 

D. SULLIVAN, 

Triick,Wagon, Carriage & Harness Works, 

No. 600 Middle, Cor. Middle and King Sts. 

PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

Repairing, Lettering, Trimming, &c.. Neatly and Promptly 

Attended to. 

~ hTaTshannon, 




DEALER IN 



FINE CIGARS, TOBACCO, CIGARETTES, PIPES. SNUFF 

AND SMOKERS' ARTICLES, 
No. 522 Market Square, - - PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. I23 



beauty as well as of their intimate association with this neigh- 
borhood. 

A BALLAD. 

The Lake of the Dismal Swamp. 

WRtTTBW AT Norfolk, in Virginia. 

" They tell of a young man who lost his mind upon the death of a gial he loved, and 
who, suddenly disappearing from his friends, was never afterwards heard of. As he had 
frequently said in his ravings that the girl was not dead, but gone to the Dismal Swamp, 
it is supposed that he had wandered into that dreary wilderness and had died of hunger or 
been lost in some of its dreadful morasses." — Anon. 

" La poesie a ses monstres corame la nature." — D'Alembert. 

" They made her a grave too cold and damp 

For a soul so warm and true ; 
And she's gone to the Lake of the Dismal Swamp, 
Where, all night long, by a fire-fly lamp. 

She paddles her white canoe. 

"And her fire-fly lamp I soon shall see. 

And her paddle I soon shall hear ; 
Long and loving pur life shall be. 
And I'll hide the maid in a cypress tree. 

When the footstep of Death is near !" 

Away to the Dismal Swamp he speeds — 

His path was rugged and sore. 
Through tangled juniper, beds of reeds, 
Through many a fen where the serpent feeds. 

And man never trod before ! 

And when on the earth he sank to sleep. 

If slumber his eyelids knew. 
He lay where the deadly vine doth weep 
Its venomous tear and nightly steep 

The flesh with blistering dew ! 



124 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



APPLETONS' 

American Cyclopaedia. 

NEW EDITION, ENLARGED AND CONTAINING ALL 
INFORMATION DOWN TO THE PRESENT YEAR. 



A Library in Itself. — The Thoughts of Five Hundred of the 

Best Scholars in this and other Countries 

Crystalized, Boiled Down. 



THE LATEST, THE CHEAPEST AND THE BEST, 

PRICE PER VOLUME. 

Cloth, - - - - $5.00 I Library, - - - - $6.00 
Half Morocco, - . - 7,00 | Half Russia, ... 8.00 

SOLD BY SUBSCRIPTION ONLY, " 

The reputation of the work itself as a standard authority is evidenced 
by its enormous sale (OVER ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND SETS), 
and at no time have the sales been larger than during the past year, 

'The work is sold only by subscription and at otte price, whetJur for cash or on 
installments. 

The latter plan is so liberal and easy that almost any one earning 
a fair living may possess himself of it witJwtit bjirden. THIS PLAN IN- 
CLUDES THE DELIVERY OF THE WHOLE SET TO THE SUB- 
SCRIBER ON THE PAYMENT OF THE PRICE OF TWO VOL- 
UMES DOWN, and then the price of oyie or 7twre volumes each month 
thereafter until all is paid. *^^S^ 

We would respectfully ask that you give the subject of its purchase 
the careful consideration due to its merits. 

Our representative, GEO. N. RIDER, 437 Seventh Street, Northwest, 
Washington, D. C, will give you any further information regarding it 
that you may require. Send postal card for specimen pages. 

Very respectfully yours, 
AGENTS WANTED. D. APPLET014 & CO. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 125 



And near him the she-wolf stirr'd the brake, 

And the copper-snake breathed in his ear. 
Till he, starting, cried, from his dream awake, 
" Oh ! when shall I see the dusky Lake, 

And the white canoe of my dear!" 

He saw the Lake, and a meteor bright 

Quick o'er its surface play'd — 
" Welcome," he said, "my dear one's light !" 
And the dim shore echoed for many a night 

The name of the death-cold maid ! 

Till he hollow'd a boat of the birchen bark. 

Which carried him off from shore; 
Far he follow'd the meteor spark. 
The wind was high and the cloud? were dark. 

And the boat return'd no more ! 

But oft, from the Indian hunter's camp. 

This lover and maid so true 
Are seen at the hour of midnight damp 
To cross the Lake by a fire-fly lamp 

And paddle their white canoe. 

From "time immemorial" this secluded and romantic pool 
has excited the interest and curiosity of Nature's Students, and 
numbers of excursionists, prompted by one or other of these 
motives, annually invade its privacy and endeavor to penetrate 
the mystery of its existence. 

The Lake is nearly round and about 20 miles in circum- 
ference. There are of course many theories as to its origin, 
the most plausible of which, perhaps, is that, during some 
extensive fire in the Swamp, the crust covering this body of 
water, then a subterranean pool, suddenly gave way and sank 
to the bottom. This theory is sustained by the fact that out in 
the middle of the huge basin, charred trees can be seen in many 
places still standing, as they probably stood in prehistoric ages, 
grim guardians of Lake Drummond's secret. 



126 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



WASHINGTON LIFE INSURANCE CO. 

OF NEW YORK. 

ASSETS - - $8,000,000. 






■Ju 1*- 



«i ^ 



'•A' 









C 



1 



■*-. \ 



Deposited^ 138,000 with the State Treasurer in compliance with 

our State Laws. 
Salient Features in the Policy of the WASHINGTON that, 
should commend it to the attention of all con- 
templating Insurance. 
1st. Dividends annually at the end of the. first and each succeeding 
year, 2d. The dividends of the Washington may be applied to the pay- 
ment of the premium. 3d. If not so applied, they purchase additional 
Insurance. 4th. If not used to purchase additional Insurance, they are 
re-convertible into cash for their original amount, 5th. A policy in the 
Washington, while held by dividends, may be continued vs^ithout medical 
re-examination, by payment of the balance of the premium due. 

WATSON fe RIDDICK, Agents. 

No. 335 High Street, Portsmouth, Va. 




ING SHIP ''FRANKUN," 



-- -j4.'< -^^ft-.T-^sa?- . 



-3:^'', -^»3-' 



^^g^Vrs^Sg>^^~^^^^^vt ^^fe"^ '-5 




GENERAL VIEW OF THE GOSPORT NAVY- YARD, FROM THE DECK OF THE U. S. RECEIVING SHIP "FRANKLIN," 



COSPORT NAVY-YARD. 



IN 1874, Commander Edward P. Lull, U. S. N., (now Com- 
mandant of the Navy-Yard at Pensacola, Florida,) pub- 
lished, for the Bureau of Yards and Docks, Navy Depart- 
ment, " A History of the United States Navy-Yard at Gosport, 
Virginia," from which the following extracts are selected as 
bearing generally upon the growth and development of Ports- 
mouth. Several incidents mentioned in the narrative are related 
elsewhere, with chronological reference, in our Sketch Book, 
and need not therefore be repeated under this heading : 
ITS MILITARY VALUE. 

" No Navy-Yard belonging to the United States, from its geographi- 
cal position, is more important than that of Gosport, Va. Located near 
enough to the entrance of Chesapeake Bay to be easily accessible, it is, at 
the same time, in a position readily defended from attacks either by land 
or by water, and one, as has been repeatedly shown, which can be held by 
a small force against a very largely superior one. There is in the vicinity 
an abundant supply of timber and other material, while the close proxim- 
ity of a populous city secures to it the command of all the skilled labor 
that can be required. Such is the mildness of the climate, that work of 
all sorts can be carried on at all seasons of the year without interruption. 
Hampton Roads, the outer harbor, is an excellent point of rendez-vous for 
a fleet or squadron. 

" A glance at the map will demonstrate the very great importance of 
a naval station in this vicinity. The Chesapeake, with its navigable tribr 
utaries, penetrates into the heart of several of the richest States in the 
Union, reaching to the National Capital. A foothold in its waters would, 



128 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



WHOLESALE AND RETAIL DEALER IN 

MAINE ICE 

OFFICE AND DEPOT 

213 & 215 QUEEN STREET, 
Portsmontli, Ya. 



Having the Largest Storage capacity of any house in the 
City, and a long experience in the business, with unsurpassed 
facilities, I am prepared to fill orders for Ice, in any quantity, 
at the shortest notice. 

This house is the direct successor to the Original Ice 
House, founded in 1832 and carried on continuously, with al- 
ways increasing capacity and facilities, to the present time. 

CAPACITY OF WAREHOUSES, 2,500 TONS. 

Orders by Mail will Receive Prompt Attention. 

Correspondence Solicited. P. 0. Box 148. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE 



129 



therefore, be of the utmost strategic importance to an invading enemy, 
and would probably be one of the earliest objects sought by them, as past 
history has fully shown. The width of the entrance of the Bay is so great 
that it would be impossible to defend it except by a naval force, which 
■should have a repairing, coaling and victualling station as near at hand as 
possible, consistent with entire defensibility for itself, with a reasonably 
secure outer harbor, large enough for the necessary manoeuvres of a squad- 




MESSRS. J. & E. MAHONEY'S WHOLESALE LIQUOR WAREHOUSE. 

Ton in getting under way and forming. All of these conditions are admira- 
bly filled by the location of the Gosport yard. 

ITS ORIGIN. 
" Just before the War of the Revolution, the British established a ma- 
rine yard, for the use of its navy, on the site of the present Navy- Yard at 
■Gosport, (as that part of Portsmouth has always been called,) having, as is 
stated in a letter now on file in the Navy Department, written in 1824, by 
Miles King, United States Navy-Agent, selected this point after a careful 
survey of all the ports within its dominions in North America, as the most 



130 - SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

J. HERBERT WILLIAMS, 

CONTRACTOR and BUILDER 

PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

Has had eleven years' experience as a Practical Builder,, 
seven of which were spent in Baltimore. 

Estimates for all kinds of work furnished on application,, 
and satisfaction guaranteed. 

Post Office Address : PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

All Correspondence will Receive Prompt Attention. 

JAS. Q. AfSSDERSOiyi'S 

BAKERY AND CONFECTIONERY. 

218 County Street, Portsmouth, Va. 

Manafacturer and Dealer in 
Bread, Pies and Crackers of all kinds ; Cakes, Plain, Fancy and Fruit ;; 
Confectioneries, Plain and Fancy ; Weddings, Balls and Parties fnrnished 
with the latest designs in Cakes and Confectioneries. Sole manufacturer 
of Anderson's Celebrated Pies. Orders solicited and promptly attended 
to. Prices Chea p. . ^^^ 

Evans, Burwell, & Tazewell, 

DEALERS IN 

FLOUR, ORABN, HAY, I^ILL FEED, &C., 

121 and 123 County Street. 
PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 131 



eligible situation for a naval station. The name of Gosport was doubtless 
taken from Gosport, near Portsmouth, England, where one of the most im- 
portant of the British dock-yards is located. There is a tradition that this 
spot had been used for some time by the British as a careening-ground for 
their ships, but the writer has not been able to find any proof of the fact. 
Mr. King's letter further states that scarcely had the British Government 
commenced its works for the completion of the naval establishment, when 
the Revolution began, and the yard, together with the adjoining property 
of Andrew Sprowle, the British Navy-Agent, became confiscate and for- 
feited to the State of Virginia. 

THE FIRST VIRGINIA NAVY. 

"Virginia immediately commenced preparations for establishing a 
navy, and vigorous measures were adopted to that end. Seve'ral vessels 
were built or purchased. A rope-walk was established, which was proba- 
bly at Gosport, though it is not certain. The published histories of 
Virginia and of the United States Navy are alike singularly silent upon 
the subject of the Virginia Navy. The most that the writer has been able 
to find have been the Acts of Assembly authorizing its creation, subse- 
quent additions and changes, and its final abolishment. 

" The Virginia Navy \vas' employed mainly for the defense of the bays 
and rivers of the State. Commodore Barron was appointed its Comman- 
der-in-Chief, being styled ' Commodore of all the armed vessels of the 
Commonwealth.' His two sons, Samuel and James Barron, and also 
Richard Dale, all afterwards distinguished officers of the United States 
Navy, served under his command. At the conclusion of the war the State 
Navy was disbanded. 

SALE OF GOSPORT. 

" By an Act of the General Assembly of Virginia, passed in May, 1784, 
Joseph Jones, Paul Loyall, William Lee, Mann Page, Benjamin Harrison, 
Thomas Nelson, Miles King, Henry Tazewell and John Kearnes were 
appointed commissioners for the sale of certain public lands belonging 
to the Commonwealth, among which were the lands commonly called 



132 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA, 



GENERAL 



Contractor and Builder 



1710 GREEN_STREET, 

PortsmoTith, Ya. 



Has improved facilities for undertaking all kinds of 

Building, Remodeiing, Repairing & Jobbing, 

Estimates cheerfully furnished on application. 
References given if required, and satisfaction guaranteed. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 



133 



Gosport, adjoining the Town of Portsmouth, except such part thereof as, 
in their opinion, may be necessary for the use of the public, taking care 
to lay off the said lands into lots, so as to make them uniform with the 
Town of Portsmouth. 

" It seems that the commissioners above named never procured a 
meeting of a sufficient numljer to act, in consequence of which the law 
was amended in October of the same year, so as to place the appointing 
of the commissioners in the hands of the Governor, by and with the 
advice of the Council ; and the commissioners were empowered to sell 




THE ARCADE STEAM-POWER PRINTING HOUSE. 

such portions of the Gosport lands as the Governor and Council should 
direct, after having laid them off into lots and convenient streets. The 
persons appointed and who acted as commissioners for the carrying out 
of the law were William Ronald, Edward Carrington and Benjamin 
Temple. 

" The marine-yard was retained for the benefit of the Commonwealth, 
though no use is known to have been made of it until the year 1794. The 
lands adjoining the yard were sold in 1785. A large portion of them, in 
addition to the yard, was afterwards purchased by the United States. 



134 



SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 




Ill 

ill 



i I 



irj 




BRACKETS, MOULDINGS, 

SCROLL SAWiHO, TURi^ING 

WINDOW AND DOOR FRAMES, 
STORE FRONTS, &C. 

FLOORING,CEILING & LUMBER DRESSED 

AT SHORT NOTICE. 

MILL, YARDS AND OFFICE 

Corner High and Chestnut Streets, 

PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 135 



THE NAVY-YARD LENT TO THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT 
FOR SHIP-BUILDING PURPOSES. 

" On the 27th of March, 1794, by an Act entitled ' An Act to Provide 
a Naval Armament,' the President was authorized by Congress to procure, 
by purchase or otherwise, equip and employ, to protect our commerce from 
the Algerines, four ships to carry 44 guns each, and two ships to carry 36 
guns feach, and to appoint the requisite number of officers to command 
them. The duty of carrying out the provisions of this law was assigned 
to the Secretary of War, the Hon. Henry Knox. * * * 

" In a report svibmitted to the House of Representatives by Secretary 
Knox, under date of December 27, 1794, after stating the character, arm- 
ament, Sec, of the vessels ordered, the materials to be used and how to 
be obtained and prepared, he goes on to say that, in order as well to dis- 
tribute the advantages arising from the operation as to ascertain where 
the work could be executed to the greatest advantage, the building of the 
ships had been ordered in six different ports of the Union ; one of the 
ports selected was Poi^tsmouth, Va., where a frigate of 44 guns was laid 
down. * * * 

" The marine-yard at Gosport was lent to the Government by the 
State of Virginia, and, as will be seen further on, it was not purchased by 
the United States until several years later. Capt. Richard Dale was 
appointed superintendent of the yard ; Josiah Fox naval constructor or 
master-builder ; and William Pennock, navy-agent. * * * 

" On the establishment of peace, early in 1796, between the United 
States and Algiers, work was suspended upon the ship at this yard. * 

In June, 1797, the materials on hand at Gosport were valued at $52,989. 

THE WAR WITH FRANCE GIVES NEW IMPETUS TO THE 

WORK. 

" The breaking out of the war with France in 1798 gave a fresh im- 
petus to the infant navy, and considerable sums of money were appropri- 
ated by Congress for building, purchasing or hiring vessels to be used 
against that republic. * * * 

" In July orders were sent to Mr. Pennock to recommence work on 



136 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

W. D. MINTER. G. H. BALLANCE. 

MiNTER & BaLLANCE, 

DEALERS IN 

FINE FAMILY GROCERIES, 

CHOICE TEAS AND COFFEES, 

Fresh and Cured Meats, Poultry, Fruits & Vegetables. 

SPECIALTIES: 
ButteVy Lard and Vinegar, 

700 County Street, (Corner Washington,) 

PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

~ V. J. NAW, 

BAKER & COI^FECTIOiyER 

No. 215 High Street, 

PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

JOS. T. PARKER. WM. G. PARKER. 

J. T. PARKER & BRO., 

WHOLESALE AND RETAIL GROCERS, 

624 Crawford Street, 200 and 202 County Street, 

PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

Naval Stores, Cigars and Tobacco, and Choice JV. Y. State 
Butter, Specialties. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 



137 



the frigate at Gosport, for which the name CJicsapcake had been chosen. 

During the same month a brig of 200 tons which had been built near the 

navy-yard by Mr. Herbert, and which was nearly ready for launching, was 

purchased by the Government and fitted out, under the name of Norfolk. 
* * * * 

" Considerable activity prevailed at the yard during the remainder of 
the year. A brig was purchased by the citizens of some of the principal 
towns of Virginia, and presented to the Government. It was named the 



'•"^"■Mih.p,, 


% 


^^^ 


L^^^ 


^^& 


''-in"ii"=^H 


^M 


^^^M 0^ 




^^^^^^^m 


:::£ 


p 


§ 


^^p^^ 




^^^^m 




1 


1 


H 




m 


S^mi|i 


^Sk 


^^^^^jj^iMS 


pfH 


w 


^^3 




^^mi 



RESIDENCE OF JUDGE LEGH R. WATTS. 

Richmond, and was fitted out under the command of Capt. Samuel Barron, 
who had served in the Virginia navy during the Revolution. The vessels 
of Commodore Truxtun's squadron frequently resorted to the yard for 
repairs and supplies, and to pay off their crews. * * The 

yard was also made a depot for the supply of masts and spars to cruising- 
ships, and even to vessels fitting at Baltimore and Philadelphia. * =•= 

" In June, 1799, a brig, called the Augusta, was purchased and fitted 
out at Gosport. 

" July 16, 1799, Commodore Samuel Barron was ordered to duty as 



138 



SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH VA., 



1- 



i < 

iO 

o 
> 




< 
> 



E H 



I S 
o H 

(5 Q^ 

o 

0. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 139 



superintendent of the yard ; Mr. Pennock, the agent, not having exercised 
the degree of economy which the department desired. 

THE YARD PURCHASED BY THE UNITED STATES. 

" The importance of the Gosport yard, particularly as an equipping^ 
recruiting and victualling station, had now become so well established, 
that the Secretary of the Navy resolved to make it one of the permanent 
navy-yards of the country. * * * * 

"January 24, 1 8oi, $12,000 were remitted to Mr. John Hopkins, of 
Richmond, Va., to be paid to the State, as the purchase-money of the 
Gosport lands, and under date of 15th June, 1801, a deed was executed 
by Governor Monroe, by which the title and jurisdiction of the property 
were conveyed to the United States. * * * 

A MARINE GUARD SENT TO THE YARD. 

" In October, 1801, a marine-guard was sent to Gosport yard, and the 
navy-agent was directed to furnish them with quarters. * * 

" In April, 1802, Mr. Pennock recommends the building of a store- 
house for provisions, &c., within the yard. Up to that time private ware- 
houses had been hired for the use of the navy-stores. 

"April 26, 1802, Mr. Pennock was removed, and Daniel Bedinger 
was appointed navy-agent and superintendent of the navy-yard. * * 

" In April, 1803, $10,000 were sent to Mr. Bedinger to build a ware- 
house and timber-shed at Gosport. * * * 

"August 6, 1804, an order was sent to Mr. Bedinger detaching the 
marine-guard from the navy-yard and ordering it to Washington. * * 
During the summer of 1806 we find several gunboats and ketches fitting 
out and laying up, under the direction of Lieut. Arthur Sinclair. 

• " On the 28th of November, 1806, Capt. Stephen Decatur was ordered 
to superintend the building of four gunboats at Gosport. * * 

In July, 1807, Mr. Bedinger was ordered to contract for materials for ten 
additional gunboats, and a little later, to contract for building the same-. 
Captain Decatur was ordered to superintend the construction. * * 

" In November, 1807, a marine-guard was again ordered to the yard. 



140 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

Organized 1870. 



605 Fourth Street, 

PORTSMOUTH, YA. 

Session begins the First of September, and ends the Last of 
June, the following year. Terms Reasonable. 
For further particulars apply to 

IVlrs. SADIE J. CULPEPPER, Principal, 

702 Fourth Street. 



El 

PRESCRIPTION DRUGGIST, 

Chestnut Street, Near County, - ■ PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

Dealer in Drugs and Chemicals, Garden Seeds and Toilet Articles ; also, Choice 

Cigars and Tobacco. 

Special attention given to Preparing Prescriptions both Day and Night. Residence 

over Store. 

THIS IS GENERALLY KNOWN AS THE UP-TOWN DRUG STORE. 

CHAS. W. RUSTIC. ' ROBT. S. BROOKS. 

RUSTIC & BROOKS, 

RENTAL AND COLLECTING AGENTS, 

And Agents for Portsmouth and Berkley of the Christian Brotherhood. 

PROMPT RETURNS EVERY MONTH. 

113 High Street, - - - - PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 141 



February 10, 1808, Bedinger's appointment was revoked, and Theodore 
Armistead appointed in his place as navy-agent and superintendent of 
the navy-yard. * * * 

" In May, 1809, an order was sent to build a powder-magazine in the 
yard. * * ♦ 

THE FIRST:C0MMANDANT APPOINTED. 



"July 7, 1810, the Department having become tired of the practice of 




MESSRS. FREY BROS'. BOX FACTORY, BERKLEY. 

operating the navy-yard under irresponsible civil administration, ordered 
Commodore Samuel Barron as commandant of the yard, the gunboats, the 
officers and men. * * Commodore Barron had scarcely entered upon 
his command when, on the 2gth of October, 1810, he was overtaken by 
death. * + , * 

" In May, 1811, Capt. Samuel Evans was ordered as commandant, 
and from that time we find lieutenants, masters, medical officers, boat- 



142 



SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



STEAM-POWER 

PRINTING HOUSE 



O 

l-H 

Q 

iz; 

I— I 

O 
O 

m 



m 




> 

'-d 
W 
?^ 

a 

y—i 

o 



ANY YEARS of practical experience in studying carefully the 
wants of the community, encouraged by vejy liberal patroiiage, we 
have no hesitation in saying that 

OUR FACILITIES 

FOR FINE, ARTISTIC 

Railroad and Commercial Printing 

Are not excelled in this section of the State. With first-class work, ink, 
paper, etc., we guarantee satisfaction. Doing a large quantity of work 
©aables us to charge very reasotmble prices. 

GEO. W. PURDIE & CO., 

Cor. High and Crawford Sts., - '- PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



Its PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. I43 

swains and gunners attached to the yard and to the vessels in ordinaiy. 
Captain Evans continued in command until August 10, 1812, when Capt. 
John Cassin was ordered to relieve him, * * * 

" In September, 181 8, Capt, Arthur Sinclair was ordered to this navy- 
yard to superintend the construction of the Delaware, under Capt. Cassin. 
* * We find about this period, and for some years after, considerable 
quantities of timber, plank, knees, masts and mast-pieces, and also of 
cordage, furnished from Gosport to the navy-yards in other parts of the 
country. * * * 

A SCHOOL FOR MIDSHIPMEN ESTABLISHED, 

" In June, 1821, Captain Cassin was relieved by Capt, Lewis War- 
rington. * * In August, 1821, a school for midshipmen was established 
under the charge of Chaplain David P. Adams, on board the Guerriere, 
frigRte. * * * 

" In December, 1826, Captain Warrington was relieved from the com- 
mand of the yard by Master-Commandant James Renshaw. 

THE DRY-DOCK. 

" On the 25th of May, 1824, the Senate of the United States passed a 
resolution calling upon the Secretary of the Navy for information upon 
the following points : ist. The expediency, usefulness, economy and ne- 
cessity of a dry-dock of sufficient capacity for receiving, examining and 
repairing ships of the line. 2d, The best location for a dry-dock. * * 

" The Hon. Mr. Si?u|hard, then Secretary of the Navy, in his answer 
to the resolution, undifer date of January 3, 1825, urged in very strong 
terms the necessity not only of one, but of at least two dry-docks for the 
Navy, at its then present size. * * In regard to the location, he quoted 
the opinion of the Navy-Commissioners, that there should be one in the 
eastern part of the Union and one in the waters of the Chesapeake. For 
the site of the first of these he proposed Charlestown, Mass., and for the 
second, Gosport. The following paragraphs are copied from the Secre 
tary's letter: 

" ' At/p^osport there is also a valuable yard, with improvements ; but 
there is nfet 'within its limits so good a position for a dock as upon the 



144 



SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



WM. H. PETERS. 



WASHINGTON REED. 



PETERS & REED, 



SHIPPING AND GENERAL 



I I 



Is 



AND DEALERS IN 



STAVES, TiMBER AND LUMBER, 

Main Street, 



AND 



Water Street, 
TSmOUTH, VA. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 145 



adjoining land, which may be bought for a small sum, and add much t 
the convenience and utility of the establishment already there. The 
Chesapeake and its waters form a first object in every plan relating to 
the national defense, and somewhere upon them must be placed an 
important portion of our naval means. Whether our principal depot 
■ought to be there, the resolution does not direct us to inquire. But let 
that question be decided as it may, Gosport must be retained as a repair- 
ing and refitting station, to which resort can be had in cases of need. 
Lying behind the strong defenses of Old Point Comfort and the Rip Raps, 
it can never be unimportant as a naval position. It has a mimerous sur- 
rounding population, deep iuate7's, stisceptibility of defense, accessibility at all times, 
freedom from frost, great facilities in obtaiizing supplies of materials, and stands 
at once in the most important and connecting points in that great line of internal 
intercourse and navigation to which the public attention has at all times been so 
■st7'ongly directed.' * * "On the 25th of May, 1825, Commodore James 
Barron relieved Captain Renshaw as Commandant of the Yard. * * 
" The work upon the dry-dock was commenced in November, 1827. 
Colonel Baldwin was appointed engineer in charge of the construction, 
* * and Captain W, P. S. Sanger was appointed resident engineer 
Gosport. Captain Sanger continued the immediate charge of the work 
under Colonel Baldwin until its completion. * * 

THE FIRST LINE-OF-BATTLE SHIP BUILT AT GOSPORT. 

" On the 17th of June, 1833, the anniversary of the Battle of Bunker 
Hill, the dock was opened for the reception of the line-of-battle ship 
Delaware, the first liner built at Gosport, and the first national ship ever 
docked in a dry-dock belonging to the United States. * * The line- 
of-battle ship N'orth Carolina was soon afterward admitted to the dock, 

" The dry-dock was turned over to the Commandant of the Navy- 
Yard complete on the 15th of March, 1834. The total cost of the work 
•was $974,356.65. * * * 

ACTIVITY IN SHIP BUILDING. 

" Commodore Warrington, who had assumed command of the yard 



146 



SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



IIb Ehi 



CONTRACTOR FOR 




River and Harbor Improvements, Dredging 



WHARF BUILDING AND PILE DRIVING. 



N. W. Corner Court and South Streets, 



PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 147 



May 26, 1831, continued it until the 7th of October, 1840. The yard was 
constantly used in the meantime for fitting out, refitting, repairing and 
laying up the ships and vessels of the Navy. The sloop John Adams 
was built in 1830.- The frigate Macedonian was rebuilt here between the 
years 1832 and 1836. The surveying-brig Pioneer was launched in 1836. 
The line-of-battle ship Pennsylvania became the receiving-ship in 1837. 
The sloop Yorktown was commenced in 1835 and launched in 1839. * * 

" Commodore W. B. Shubrick assumed command of the yard in Oc- 
tober, 1840, and retained it until October, 1843, * * The steamer 
Union was laid down at the yard in 1841 and launched in 1842. The 
store-ship Southampton was commenced in 1842. 

" In October, 1843, Commodore Shubrick was relieved by Commodore 
Jesse Wilkinson as Commandant. * * The brig Pe?iy was laid down 
in 1843. * * The sloop y(7Wfj/V'2(:w was laid down in 1843 and launched 
in 1844. * -K- * 

PURCHASE OF " ST. HELENA." 

" On the 26th of August, 1846, the lot of ground opposite the Navy- 
Yard" (on the Berkley side of the Southern Branch — see the inset chart) 
" and known as Saint Helena, was purchased and added to the yard. 
This ground was needed for ordnance purposes. * * Jurisdiction of 
the Saint Helena property was ceded to the United States by an Act of 
the General Assembly of Virginia, dated March 22nd, 1847. 

" Commodore Lawrence Kearny became Commandant on the ist of 
June, 1847. Some progress was made that year upon the launching-slip. 
* * The frigate St, Laurence and the brig Perry were launched. The 
former had been on the stocks for over twenty years. The steam -frigate 
Powhatan was laid down. January 19th, 1848, Commodore John D. Sloat 
was ordered to relieve Commodore Kearny as Commandant. * * 

IMPROVEMENTS AT THE YARD. 

" Between the years 1850 and i860 great progress was made in im- 
proving the yard, under current appropriations, while at the same time 
great activity prevailed in building, repairing, fitting out and laying up 



148 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



ESTABLISHED 1865. 



JOHN E. WEST, 

Builder s General Contractor, 

PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



I have been steadily engaged in the business since 1843,. 
and am therefore perfectly familiar with every detail. Many 
of the handsomest residences, churches and public buildings in. 
the city are my work. Among those recently finished is the 
Public School House, Green Street^ an illustration of which is 
shown on page 61. 



M. F. DAUCHTREY, 

SURGEON DENTIST 

No. 207 High St., 

portsmouth, va, 
claud. woodward, 

Druggist and Apothecary, 

Fancy Goods and Toilet Articles. 
Under Ocean House, - - PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 



149 



the ships and vessels of the Navy. The steam-frigate Powhatan was 
launched in 1850. * * Gas for lighting the yard and buildings was 
introduced in 1855. * ■)«■ * 

" In 1855 the magnificent steam-frigates Roanoke and Coloiado were 
laid down; these vessels were finished and launched in 1857. The steam- 
sloops Dakota and Richmond v^Qxt begun in 185S and launched, the former 
in 1859 and the latter in i860. A purchased steamer called the Dispatch 
was rebuilt in 1859 under the name of Pocalwntas. 




ST. JOHN'S (P. E.) CHURCH. 
THE COMMANDANTS FROM 1851 TO 1861. 

" The following were the Commandants of the yard during this pe- 
riod, viz: Capt. Silas K. Stringham from 17th February, 1S51, to 1st 
April, 1852; Capt. Samuel L. Breeze from ist April, 1852, to loth May, 
1855 ; Commodore Isaac McKeever from loth May, 1S55, until his death, 
which occurred on the ist of April, 1856 ; Capt. Thomas A. Dornin from 
6th May, 1856, to 30th April, 1859; Capt. Charles H. Bell from 30th 



I50 



SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



Established Sept. 1st, 1888. 



Portsmoutli Grammar and High School 

W. H. STOKES, Principal ; Miss E. J. STOKES, Assistant. 




Annual Term begins on FIRST MONDAY of September 
and continues FORTY CONSECUTIVE WEEKS, not in- 
cluding a two weeks' recess at Christmas. Students will be 
received, however, at any time and charged only from date of 
entrance. 

The design of this place of instruction is to afford to the 
Youth of this section a thorough preparation for College and 
the United States Naval and Military Academies, or to prepare 
them to enter at once upon the practical business of life. 

For Catalogues containing terms, course of studies, &c., 
&c., address the Principal, 

No. 206 Court Street, 
p. 0. Box 173. PORTSMOUTH, VA- 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. I51 



April, 1859, to 1st August, i860, when he was relieved by Commodore 
Charles S. McCauley." 

EVACUATION OF THE YARD BY THE CONFEDERATES. 

Here follows an account of the proceedings at the Yard 
from the beginning of the Civil War until the evacuation of 
this district by the Confederates on May. loth, 1862, the prin- 
cipal incidents of which will be found elsewhere in this volume 
under the heading — " The War Between the States." rr^^'~" 
Admiral Goldsborough, who commanded the Federal 
blockading squadron, thus reports his arrival at Portsmouth 
and the destruction effected by the Confederate troops before 
their departure, under date of May 12th, 1862 : 

" I accompanied the President (Lincoln) and Secretaries Chase and 
Stanton yesterday to Norfolk, on board the Baltimore, but I did not return 
with the party (to Fortress Monroe.) 

" In the afternoon I visited the navy-yard (at Gosport) and went all 
over it. It is still burning in maay places. Nearly every thing is de- 
stroyed. Of the buildings, the officers' quarters alone remain intact. * * 
The dock-gates are all destroyed, and the pier-ends connected with the 
gates have been blown up to a partial degree, but otherwise the dock 
itself seems uninjured." 

Continuing from Lull's History : 

THE YARD RESTORED TO ORDER BY THE FEDERAL 
GOVERNMENT. 

" Admiral Goldsborough took possession of all the naval property in 
the vicinity, including the yard, the magazine and the naval hospital. 

" On the 20th of May, 1862, Capt. John W. Livingstone was ordered 
to the yard as Commandant. He at once commenced the work of putting 
the yard in as good order as its ruined state would permit. * * 

"Considerable appropriations for the fiscal years ending July, 1865, 



152 SKETC« BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH VA., 



AUGUST BUFF, 

DRUGGIST & APOTHECARY, 

Wholesale and Retail Dealer in 

DRUGS AND MEDICINES, 

Chemicals, Perfumery, Toilet and Fancy Articles, Paints, Oils, Glass, Putty and Dye 
Stuffs, Grass, Garden and Flower Seeds, &c. 

606 Crawford Street, - - PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

~ F. P. NASH, '. 

HATS, CAPS, UMBRELLAS, &C 

No. 2 Oxford Hall, High St., 
PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

JOHN J. PHILLIPS 

DEALER IN 

FIRST-CLASS BEEF, MUTTON AND VEAL 

Stall No. 1, City Market, 

PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

. Established 1867. 

V. T.~PEED 



WHOLESALE AND RETAIL DEALER IN 



Fine Boots and Shoes 

Constantly receiving New Goods and Latest Styles direct from 

the manufacturers, 

220 HIGH STREET PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRx\DE. 



153 



1866, 1867, respectively, were made by Congress for restoring the various 
work-shops, stores, wharves, cranes, shears and machinery in the yard. * * 

" The restoration of the yard has been steadily progressing under the 
current appropriations. * * Dredging has been carried on from time 
to time, and is going on now, for deepening the channel off the yard, the 
design being to gain twenty-four feet of water at least. * * 

" The following have been the Commandants of the yard since the 
repossession by the United States, viz : Capt. John W. Livingstone from 
May 20, 1862, to November 16, 1864; Capt. John M. Berrien from No- 




RESIDKNCE OF MR. WM. J. BRENT. 

-vember 16, 1864, to October 7,1865; Commodore Robert B. Hitchcock 
from October 31, 1865, to August 7,1866; Rear-Admiral S. C. Rowan 
from August 7, 1866, to July 23, 1867; Commodore A. H. Kilby from 
August 15, 1867, to October i, 1870 ; Rear-Admiral C, H. Davis from Oc- 
tober I, 1870, to July I, 1873; and Commodore Thomas H. Stevens from 
July I, 1873, to the present time (1874.) * * 

" It is earnestly hoped, in view of its great importance, that Congress 
will make such appropriations for the continued improvement of the yard 



154 



SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 




ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 155 

at Gosport as shall make it commensurate with the needs of a first-rate 
naval power." 

Since the publication of Captain Lull's book, from which 
the above excerpts have been taken, the Gosport Navy-Yard 
furnishes very little history, beyond the dry records of an 
establishment devoted to important industrial operations. 

THE COMMANDANTS SINCE 1876. 

Commodore Stevens was succeeded as Commandant on 
July I, 1876, by Commodore J. Blakeley Creighton, who re- 
tained command until July i, 1879. Commodore A. K. 
Hughes served from July i, 1879, to July 6, 1882; Commo- 
dore W. K. Mayo from July 6, 1882, to April 10, 1885 ; Com- 
modore W. T. Truxtun from April 10, 1885, to March 11, 
1886. On the last-mentioned date the charge of the Yard 
was assumed by Captain George Brown, the present Com- 
mandant. 



THE YELLOW FEVER IN 1855. 

The darkest season that ever dawned upon Portsmouth — 
darker than the stormy and anxious days of the Revolution, 
when the town was violated by the British invader and defiled 
by the presence of the traitor Arnold; darker even than the 
later and more terrible period of internecine strife which 
threatened the stability of the United States — was the Sum- 
mer of 1855, when the Yellow Fever — that dread scourge of 
tropical America — was landed at our wharves from the Ben 
Franklin, which arrived here direct from the Island of St. 
Thomas, in the West Indies, about the middle of June, and 



156 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

The Hodgdon & Spencer Co. 

IMPORTERS OF 

PERUViAl^ CUAIMO, KASNIT 

CHEMICALS, &C. 
IVIANUFACTURERS OF AIVIIVIONIATED FERTILIZERS. 



THE GREAT FORI¥8ULA HOUSE. 



Dear Sir : Reductions in the price of Guanos must be 
made, and we hereby inform the Merchants and Farmers that 
we have 300 different fertiHzing formulas for the raising of 
Truck, Cotton, Tobacco, and Peanuts. We also manufacture 
goods to any formula sent us, always guaranteeing the best 
goods that can be bought in the market — charging only the 
market price and labor. Super- Phosphate, Ground or Dis- 
solved Bone, Ground or Acidulated Fish and Tankage is the 
basis of all manufactured Guano, and purchasers pay more in 
buying the manufactured Brands than to have them made to 
order. It is well to bear this in mind, and we shall be pleased 
to give any information as to the price of putting up any for- 
mula sent us, or those we have on hand. We solicit your or- 
ders and warrant satisfaction. Very respectfully, 

HODGDON & SPENCER CO., 
154 & 156 Water St., Norfolk, Va, 
Goods always on hand, which we guarantee as genuine in 
every respect: Super-Phosphate, Acid Phosphate, Ground 
Bone, Dissolved Bone, Ground Fish, Acidulated Fish, Tank- 
age, Dried Blood, Bone Black, Sulphate Ammonia, Muriate of 
Potash, Nitrate of Soda, Fish Scrap, Marie, Peruvian Guano 
10 per cent., Lobos Guano 6 per cent., Kainit. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 



157 



was placed in quarantine by order of the Health Officer of the 
Port, under suspicion of being infected. After being detained 
for some days she was granted permission to proceed to Gos- 
port for the purpose of being overhauled. Here her bilge- 
water was pumped out and a portion of her ballast was dis- 
charged upon the wharf. No apprehensions at her presence 
were entertained until Sunday, July 8th, when a young man, 
who had been employed on board her five days previously, 




AFRICAN M. E. CHURCH AND PARSONAGE. 

developed unmistakable symptoms' of yellow fever and died 
in the afternoon of the same day. The case created intense 
excitement, and the Town Council, having been convened in 
extraordinary session, ordered the immediate return of the 
steamer to the quarantine ground. 

But the precaution was taken too late. The mischief h ad 



158 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

Established i%2'2- 

Virginia Fire and IVSarine insurance Co. 

This Company insures at current rates all kinds of property. 

Term Policies (five years) issued on DWELLINGS AND FURNITURE at reduced rates. 
Fifty-three years in successful operation. Insures against Fire and Lightning. 

HUME & BRO., Agents, 

No. 224 High Street - - PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

W. H. HUGHES 

DEALER IN 

CHINA, CROCKERY, GLASSWARE, TABLE CUTLERY, 
LAMPS, LANTERNS, OIL STOVES, REFRIGERATORS, 

And a Genera! Line of House-Furnishing Goods. 

303 High Street, PORTSIVIOUTH, VA. 

Elaine Oil a Specialty. 




JOHN W. DAUG-HERTY, Agent 

DEALER IN 

FINE FAMILY CROCEIilES. 

Butter^ Cheese arid Dairy Produce a Specialty. 

Stall No. 1, (High Street Entrance) Market House, 

PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

R. G. STAPLES, 

NEW YORK BAZAAR & BARGAIN STORE, 
334- High Street, under Ocean House, Portsmouth, Va. 

DB^LBR lU 

LADIES' AND GENTS' FURNISHING GOODS, CROCKERY, GLASS, TIN- 
Ware, Dry Goods, Notions, Hosiery, White Goods, Laces, Embroideries and Trim- 
mings, Fancy Goods, Novelties, Ribbons, Velveteens and Satins, Stationery. Lamps and 
Holiday Goods, and everything usually found in a first-class Dry Goods, Notion Store 
and Bazaar, We are the friends of economical buyers. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 



159 



been done and the pestilence had gained a firm foot-hold and 
spread with fearful rapidity, although the authorities took all 
possible steps to arrest its progress. A Relief Association 
was promptly organized to attend to the necessities of the 
sick and suffering and to superintend the expenditure of the 
contributions which soon began to pour in liberally from all 
parts of the country. 

The epidemic had seized upon the community when to- 
tally unprepared for it, and the citizens were almost paralyzed 
by panic. All mercantile pursuits and mechanical operations 
were suspended, the wages of labor stopped and the stores 
closed. The Government gave up the Naval Hospital for 
the use of the fever patients, and Provision Stores were 
opened, whence food and other comforts were issued to those 
in need. 

Physicians, apothecaries and nurses came from distant 
points to minister to the sick and dying, when the local staff 
had become exhausted with the incessant call upon their exer- 
tions, and many of these noble volunteers fell victims to their 
own self-sacrificing heroism. Three of the four successive 
keepers of the Provision Store died of the pestilence, as did also 
ten apothecaries and nurses and twelve physicians, of whom 
four — Drs. Parker, Trugien, Lovett and Nicholson — were reg- 
ular practitioners of the city. The Rev. James Chisholm, 
Rector of St. John's Episcopal Church, the Rev. Francis 
Devlin, Priest in charge of St. Paul's Catholic Church, and the 
Rev. Vernon Eskridge, of the Methodist Church, remaining 
faithful to their holy mission, were constantly to be found at 
the bedside of the plague-stricken until themselves attacked by 



l6o SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

SAMUEL W. HODGES 





liE 





FOR ALL KINDS OF 



Brick and Wood Work 

ESTIMATES FURNISHED ON APPLICATION. 

Orders from the Country solicited and prompt attention given 
thereto. AU work guaranteed. 

No. 1025 Green Street, 

PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE.- l6l 

the devouring pestilence and called upon to swell the number 
of its martyr-victims. 

Among the other prominent citizens of Portsmouth who 
succumbed to the Yellow Fever during this dark, sad season 
were Captain George Chambers and Mr. Robert T. Scott. 
Members of the Common Council ; Dr. William Collins, Pres- 
ident ot thi Seaboard and Roanoke Railroad Company, and 




RESIDENCE OF CAPT. E. V.WHITE. 

a host of Other good and true men and women, from whose 
loss the city has not even yet wholly recovered. 

The disease existed here as an epidemic for nearly four 
months, the last fatal cases having occurred on the loth of 
November, and during that period nearly a thousand human 
beings had perished by its ravages. 

Thousands of the more timid inhabitants had fled from 



1 62 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



W. & J. PARKER 

Wholesale Grocers 

711 Crawford Street, Parker's Wharf, 
PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

ALSO DEALERS IN COAL 

ji — -^ — ■— ■ — — 

W. A. FENTRESS 

NEWS DEALER, 

Cigars, Tobacco, Confectioneries, Fruits, &c 

GEM CIGAR STORE, 

112 High Street .... PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

"~ ^^ H. S. WHITE 

CARPENTER AND BUILDER 

ESTIMATES FURNISHED ON ALL KINDS OF WORK. 

Jobbing & Building- in all brandies promptly attended to 
518 Glasgow Street, Portsiviouth, Va. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE 163 



the presence of the plague to seek refuge beyond reach of its 
fatal breath, but most of the City authorities, following the 
noble example of the Mayor, Mr. D. D. Fiske, and true to 
their own instincts of duty and humanity, remained here while 
the epidemic lasted, and thus rendered incalculable service to 
the community. 

If this dire calamity can be said to have possessed any 
one cheering element, it was surely to be discerned, in the 
spontaneous outpouring of sympathy and generosity which it 
evoked from every section of the country on behalf of the 
stricken and bereaved. So liberally had money been sub- 
scribed, that, out of the funds remaining in hand, the Treasu- 
rer was able to appropriate the sum of $10,000 towards the 
establishment and maintenance of an Orphan Asylum — an 
institution which still lives and flourishes — a fitting monument to 
the Charity and Benevolence to which it owes its existence. 

Thirty-one years have passed into history since that dis- 
astrous summer, and the City has been mercifully spared any 
recurrence of its horrors. No subsequent case of Yellow Fever 
has been known here ; and, while it is true that every sea-port 
in the world is liable to the accidental introduction of cholera, 
yellow fever, small-pox or any other infectious or contagious 
disease, it may be fairly assumed that, with our present almost 
perfect sanitary conditions, together with the strict quarantine 
regulations now in force, Portsmouth to-day enjoys complete 
immunity from the risk of any similar calamity in the future. 



164 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

PP;5PS60 BLOn^II|& EQIIiliS 



ESTABLISHED 1774. 



4^c^ 

BUHRS, 1774 (^IIJ^fENT®) ROLLS, 1882 
;.A.GAMBRIILLMfg.Co.> 

DAILY CAPACITY, 2200 BARRELS 

Our brands of Flour are manufactured from the Choicest 
Maryland and Virginia Wheat, notably rich in Gluten, Phos- 
phates and other nutritious properties. By the Modern Roller 
System, the most nutritious qualities of the wheat are extracted. 

Patapsco Superlative Patent Flour 

is conceded to be the Best in every particular for Family Use. 
ASK YOUR GPvOCER FOR IT. 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 



ITS GENERAL RESULTS. 



THE close of the year i860 was marked by extreme appre- 
hension and foreboding in Portsmouth, as well as all over 
the South, consequent upon the election of Abraham 
Lincoln to the Presidency of the United States. It is not neces- 
sary here to recapitulate the political differences and sectional 
animosities which culminated in the secession of the Southern 
States and the bitter struggle Avhich followed this most mo- 
mentous event in modern history. The following extract from 
an address, embracing an historical sketch of Norfolk County, 
delivered at Berkley on July 4th, 1876 — the centennial birthday 
of the Nation — by the Hon. Legh R. Watts, then Judge of the 
County Court, and now President of our City Council, not 
only contains a summary of its results, quite sufficient to sat- 
isfy the objects of this narrative, but also expresses golden 
sentiments which it were well for every reader to lay to heart : 

" We have now reached the dark days of 1861, when a continent was 
riven by the wild blast of secession and the earthquake shock of civil 
war. Of the merits or demerits of that unfortunate struggle, it is not my 
purpose to speak ; no good could result from such a discussion. Peace is 
the supreme need of our country, and the patriotic heart everywhere longs 
for reconciliation. It is best that the dead past should bury its dead, and 
that the mantle of charity and forgctfulness should be thrown over all the 
incidents connected with that terrible contest, and that nothing should be 



l66 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



JNO. B. ROBERTSON 

DEALER IN 

First-Class Beef, Veal, Mutton, Etc., Etc 

STALL NO. 15 EAST SIDE CITY MARKET, 
PORTSMOUTH, VA. ' __ 

306 High Street, Under Oxford Hall, Portsmouth, Va. 
HEADQUARTERS FOR BARGAINS IN 

Dry Goods, Hosiery, Corsets, Gloves, Notions, 

Gents' Furnishing Goods, &c., Wholesale and Retail. 
THE BEST GOODS FOR THE LEAST MONEY. 

J. F. PACE 

DEAER IN 

Groceries, Liquors, Tobacco, Cigars, &c. 

214 AND 216 COUNTY STREET, 

PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



THE PLAIN TRUTH. 

IF YOU WANT TO BUY 

Butter, Cheese, Fruit, Confectioneries, Cakes, Crackers 

VINEGAR, CIDER, PICKLES, &C., 
Cheap at Wholesale, the right place to go to is 

W. B. GODWIN & CO.'S, 119 HIGH STREET, 
THE PIONEER FRUIT HOUSE. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 



167 



remembered except the yalor, the virtue, the fidelity to duty of those who 
offered themselves a holocaust to their country's need. Their memory 
should ever be cherished as a part of our priceless heritage, and their 
virtues should be commemorated in enduring marble and colossal bronze. 
" I shall not attempt a detailed account of the part Norfolk County 
sustained in that conflict ; it is fresh in the m.inds and memories of you 
all. From the first to the last she was true and unswerving in her fidelity 
and loyalty to the Queen Mother, Virginiay who claimed her highest alle- 




HYGEIA HOTEL— Old Point Comfort. 



giance ; and on every battle field, from Seven Pines to Appomattox, her 
sons stood shoulder to shoulder, with their compatriots of the Army of 
Northern Virginia, and followed with unshrinking fortitude and devotion 
the tattered banners of immortal Lee ; until, amid the gloom of that dis- 
astrous April day, they laid down their well-used arms in final surrender, 
and, 'with the consciousness of duty faithfully performed,' gave their 
loyal pledge of submission to the result, and returned to their impover- 
ished homes. The fidelity with which they have maintained this pledge 



l68 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

ADOPTED BY THE STATE BOARD 

FOR 

Exclusive Use in the Schools of Virginia 

THE BEST AUTHORITY ; 
The Accepted Usage o\ the Best Writers 



WORCESTER'S 

SCHOOL DICTIONARIES 

THE STANDARD IN SPELLING, PRONUNCIATION AND DEFINITION. 

These Dictionaries contain more words than any others of similar 
grades. Adopted and used in New York, Boston, Chicago, Worcester, 
Philadelphia, Cambridge, St. Louis, Lowell, and hundreds of cities and 
towns throughout the United States and Canada. 

Recently Adopted for Virginia, North Carolina and West Virginia* 

J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY, Publishers, 

Nos. 715 and 717 Market Street, Philadelphia. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 169 

is worthy of all praise ; the assiduity and industry with which they have 
applied themselves to the honest labor of repairing their grievous losses 
is worthy of the highest commendation, and to their conduct the present 
condition of our country is largely due — a condition which is as satisfac- 
tory as her past is glorious, and gives assurance of a future radiant with 
hope and promise. 

" Nature has done much for us, and it only requires energy and en- 
terprise to utilize these advantages and turn them to good account. With 
a climate of unsurpassed salubrity and healthfulness, a soil of unrivalled 
fertility and productiveness, a location unexcelled by any on the Atlantic 
coast, why should we not attain a position of great commercial prosperity 
and importance? Our magnificent harbor and other advantages have 
attracted the attention and awakened the interest of statesmen of all 
ages, from the days of Sir Walter Raleigh, who was the first to appreciate 
them, down to the time of our loved and lamented scientist, the immortal 
Maury, and they must sooner or later command recognition from intelli- 
gent emigrants, who will then pour in upon us the wealth of their honest 
industry and untiring energy." 

THE NAVY-YARD DESTROYED AND ABANDONED BY THE 

FEDERALS. 

Some few events, however, are entitled to particular men- 
tion in these pages, as they bear specially upon the history of 
Portsmouth, and were participated in and witnessed by many 
of her surviving citizens. 

When the gauntlet had been thrown down by Beauregard 
at Fort Sumter, and Lincoln, in response, had " let slip the 
dogs of war" upon the devoted Southern land, it soon became 
apparent that Virginia was destined to become the principal 
battle-field of the Eastern campaign, and the anxious attention 
of both Governments was naturally directed to the Navy-Yard 
at Portsmouth, which contained vast quantities of ordnance 



170 



SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



WM. B. JOHNSON 



DEALER IN 



C 




Everything kept in a first-class Undertaking Establishment. Particular 

i^a,ttention to Shrouding and Embalming. Telegraph orders day or night. 

STORE 502, RESIDENCE 700 COUNTY STREET, 

PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

F. DURR ~~~ 

DEALER IN 

Pure Drugs, Chemicals. Patent Medicines. Perfumery 
Fancy and Toilet Goods, &c. 

PRESCRIPTIONS A SPECIALTY. 

Carefully and faithfully compounded at all hours, day and night. All goods FRESH and 

FIRST-CLASS, and PRICES LOW. 

206 Dinwiddie Street. - - - PORTSMOUTH, VA, 

" P. H. LARKIN 

DEALER IN 

Fine Boots and Shoes 

310 HIGH STREET, 
Nexl to Oxford Hall. PortSmOllth, Va. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. I71 

and military stores. There were also, on April ist, 1861, at 
the Yard or in the stream, four ships of the line, with 342 
guns ; the steam-frigate Merrimac, 40 guns ; three frigates, each 
of 50 guns ; two sloops, of 22 guns each, and the brig Dolphin, 
4 guns. In addition to these, the Cumberland, 24 guns, the 
fldg-ship of the home squadron, was also lying off the Yard, 
fully manned. 

Commodore Charles S. McCauley, the Commandant of 
the Yard, found himself in a position of extreme difficulty. 
On the one hand he was required by the Secretary of the 
Navy, " in view of the peculiar condition of the country", to 
exercise great vigilance in guarding the public interests and 
property committed to his charge ; on the other hand he was 
cautioned to take no steps which would be calculated to give 
needless alarm ; while his friends urged upon him the advisa- 
bility of committing no act which, being regarded as hostile 
to the South, might " inaugurate civil war." The Merrimac, 
which was under repairs, was ordered to be got ready for sea 
and removed to Philadelphia with the utmost dispatch. This 
order was promptly complied with, so far as the preparation 
for her departure was concerned, but she was not destined to 
make the intended voyage. 

On Saturday, the 20th of April, it was reported to the 
Commandant that State troops were arriving in the neighbor- 
hood of Portsmouth in large numbers from Richmond, Peters- 
burg and the surrounding counties, and that obstructions had 
been placed in the river to prevent the escape of the United 
States ships. In order that the authorities at the Yard might 
be thoroughly deceived as to the strength of the force by 



172 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 



The 64th Session begins October Isl, 1887, and continues NINE 
MONTHS. 

There are nineteen Schools, giving instruction in Literature, Sci- 
ence, Agriculture, Engineering, Pharmacy, Medicine, an^i Law. 

All the Depajrtments are thoroughly equipped. Virginia-students 
pay no tuition-fees in the Academic Schools, nor in that of Practical Agri- 
culture. 

For Catalogue, with full particulars, apply to 

C. S. VENABLE, L.L, D., Chairman of Faculty. 
P. 0. UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA, VA. 



THOS. SCOTT. Established in l^Sf). CALEB FLEMMING. 



Scott & Flemming 

Mertaks ad Fumke Sealers 

STRICTLY PRACTICAL AND RELIABLE 
In our Furniture Department we keep a line of excellent goodsv 

317 HIGH STREET 

PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 



173 



^hich they were menaced, " trains of cars were sent out empty 
from the station at the water-side, and at a short distance from 
the City were filled with troops which had gone out for the 
purpose, and were then brought back, landing the men in plain 
sight of the ships ; and this was repeated many times a day, of 
■course conveying the impression that fresh troops were con- 
stantly arriving." Fort Norfolk had also been taken possession 




CHESTNUT STREET PUBLIC SGHOOL— FOR COLORED CHILDREN. 

of by the United Fire Company, who had removed the powder 
from the magazine and mounted an ancient and useless cannon 
at a conspicuous point. 

And now occurred one of the most extraordinary pro- 
ceedings ever recorded in relation to military or naval econ- 
omy. It must be remembered that war had not yet been 
formally entered upon ; but so intense was the excitement and 



174 SKEiCH liOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

I. N. ANDERTON 



DEALER IN 

Fine Family Groceries 



AND PROVISIONS. 




TOBACCO, CIGARS, &C. 



FINE TEAS AND COFFEES A SPECIALTY. 



Corner South and Dinwiddie Streets, 



PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 175 

SO strained the suspense, that the public mind seemed to have 
lost its balance and to have become thoroughly demoralized. 
Union-men and Secessionists, Federals and Confederates, 
Northern adherents and Southern sympathizers, were alike 
seized with' the spirit of inconsequent folly, and proceeded — as 
in a veritable game of " cross-purposes" — to do those very 
things which their own calmer judgment would have most 
heartily condemned. 

Commodore McCauley — although in full possession of the 
Navy-Yard, with its large amount of ordnance stores ; with 
several powerful vessels in commission ; with a sufficient force 
of blue-jackets and marines to repel any possible attack from 
the untrained recruits and amateur "military companies" which 
formed the only army as yet available to the Confederate cause ; 
and within a dozen miles of Fortress Monroe, whence reinforce- 
ments could be drawn at an hour's notice — now decided that 
the Yard ami its contents v/ere no longer tenable, and began 
at once to ^mttle or otherwise destroy the ships, as a prepar- 
atory step towards a hasty flight. The vessels thus wholly or 
partially destroyed were the Pennsylvania, three-decker, 120 
guns, the receiving-ship of the station ; the Delaware, 74 ; the 
Columbus, 74 ; the frigates Merrhnac, ^Columbia and Raritan; 
the sloops-of-war Germa^itown and Plymouth, and the brig 
Dolphin. The old frigate United States was left uninjured, 
and was afterwards used by the Confederates as a receiving- 
ship. 

That night about 10 o'clock the Pawnee arrived from 
Washington, having on board Flag-Officer Hiram Paulding, 
who superseded Commodore McCauley as Commandant, and 



176 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

W. H. CODD & BRO- 

DEALERS IN 

"NEW MARKET," Corner South and Washington Streets, 
PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

N. E. WHITE, 

DEALER IN 

DRY GOODS, NOTIONS, &c. 

R. J. Roberts' " Gold-Eye " Needles, " Razor " Scissors and Cutlery a Specialty. 
No. 318 High Street, (Next to Ocean House,) 

PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



L. K. HYSELOP 

DEALER IN 

Drugs, liEgdicines, Chssnic^ls, Fansj and Toilsi Articias 

SPONGES, BRUSHES, PERFUMERY. ETC. 

FINE CBGARS AND TOBACCO. 

Prescriptions carefully compounded, and orders answered with care and dispatch. 

Corner of Court and Crabbe Streets, 

PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

WM. H, WATTS 

DEALER IN 

PlhlE, OAK &. SLAB WOODS 

East End of Crabbe Street, Neely's Wharf,. 
PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

LIGHTERS TO HIRE BY THE TRIP. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 



177 




178 



SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH VA., 



JOHN C. TEE 



WM. H. BRITTINGHAM. 



Builders & General Contractors 




SEABOARD AND ROANOKE RAILROAD STATION, SUFFOLK. 



The above is avw7tg the Buildings recently erected by us. 
Estimates given on all work, personally or by mail. Orders from the 
Country will receive prompt attention. Correspondence solicited. 
Address : 

PORTSMOUTH or NORFOLK, VA. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. I79 

imniediately assumed command of the yard and the naval 
forces afloat in the harbor. Seeing- that those of the vessels 
which had not yet touched bottom were quickly sinking, and 
that the situation, generally, was " past praying for, " the new 
Commandant made haste to spike all the guns, in number over 
two thousand, and to complete the work of destruction begun 
by his predecessor. Early on the following morning — Sunday, 
April 2ist — the store-houses, work-shops and ship-houses, with 
their contents, together with the various ships, were, at a given 
signal, set on fire, and in a few minutes the whole area of the 
Navy Yard and the river in its neighborhood seemed to be a 
sea of flame, illuminating the country for miles around. An 
attempt was also made to blow up the dry-dock with gun- 
powder, but this proved unsuccessful. After firing the yard, 
Commodore Paulding, with all the officers and men who re- 
mained faithful to the Federal Government, embarked onboard 
the Cumberland and Paw7iee, and, being unmolested in their 
passage dovv^n the river, arrived in safety off Fortress Monroe. 
It is generally conceded that even at this point and with, 
only these two vessels under his command, the Federal Com- 
modore might have held the port indefinitely, and that, by 
training his guns upon the cities of Portsmouth and Norfolk, 
he could have effectually prevented any hostile demonstration 
from either shore. What, then, could have been more advan- 
tageous to the Virginians than to get rid of these dangerous but 
panic-stricken fugitives, on almost any terms ? And yet, so 
blinded were the former by patriotic zeal and military ardor, 
that they actually placed obstructions in the channel near 
Seawell's Point in the suicidal attempt to prevent their escape ! 



l8o SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



47 Granby St., Nor.folk, Va. 

Designs and Drawings for all classes of pulslic and private buildings in 
any part of North Carolina or Virginia. Alterations and additions to exist- 
ing buildings a specialty. Faithful superintendence guaranteed. Refer 
to some ot the finest buildings in this section. Correspondence solicited. 



FLOUR MERCHANT 

AND DEALER IN 

Choice FamiSy Groceries and Country 
S. E. Comer County and IViiddle Streets^ 

PORT SMOUTH, VA. 

GEO. W. HOWE & CO. 

DEALERS IN 

Brup and Patent Miim^ Ssda ai Mineral Water, Fasioj & Toilet Artieh 

CIGARS, TOBACCO, &C. 

314 H!6H STREET, 

P0B0X93 ' PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



DEALERS IN 



Cooking and Heating Stoves, Ranges 

ROOFING AND GUTTERING, TINWARE, &C. 

509 IViarkei Square, PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

Agents for Bibb's Celebrated Fire- Place Heater. 



i*rs PEOPLE AND ITS TrACE 



I8I 



Had they succeeded, it is probable that the history of the Civil 
War would never have been written, and that military titles 
would never have become fashionable in the United States. 

"MERRIMAC" AND "MONITOR." 

For a year Portsmouth was held by the Confederate Govern- 
ment, and was their chief military and naval depot. Here was 
also built the first American iron-clad, which was constructed 
under the direction of a Portsmouth man. Captain John L. 




THE MERRIMAC'S FIRST ACHIEVEMENT. 

Porter, the present Superintendent of the Portsmouth and 
Norfolk County Ferries. The steam-frigate Merrimac, as has 
been stated above, had been scuttled and burnt to her copper- 
line by the Federal authorities, when they abandoned the 
Navy Yard" in April, 1861. She was subsequently raised by 
the Confederates and taken into the dry -dock, where she was 
repaired, refitted and clothed with iron armor. Meantime, Mr. 
Lincoln's cabinet, apprised of what was in progress here, felt 
"great solicitude in regard to this proceeding of the rebels," 



182 SKETCiEi BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



DEALER IN 

First-class Beef, Veal, Mutton and Pork 



•^i 



•'-^J^J 



^' .-^>!^, 



Stalls 8 and lo City Market — Residence 8io Washington Street, 
PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



Fine Whiskeys, Brandies, Gin, Rum 

Cigars, Tobacco, Snuff, &c., 

114 MARKET SQUARE, 

PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



AVHOLESALE 



Grocer and Dealer in Ship Stores, Etc. 

No. 87 IWarke! Square, S. E. Cor. King & CralKord Sts., 
PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



ffS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADEI- 183 

(to quote Mr. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy,) and had 
contracted with Mr. John Ericsson for an iron-clad turreted 
vessel, with guns of immense calibre, which, when built, was 
called, by his request, the Afojii^or. Great things were expected 
from this floating battery which sailed from New York for 
Hampton Roads on the 6th of March, 1862, under the command 
of Lieutenant (afterwards Admiral) Worden. But she did not 
reach her destination until " the day after the fair. " The 
Merrimac had been armed and launched — under the name of 
Virginia — and had gone down to Hampton Roads on Satur- 
day, March 8th, where she had at once engaged the whole fleet 
lying there, sinking the. corvette Ciuhberland, burning the 
frigate Congress, and driving off the remaining vessels. Gen- 
eral Wool telegraphed the startling news to President Lincoln 
from Fortress Monroe, stating that the fortress itself was in 
danger, as " the Merrimac was impenetrable and could take 
any position she pleased for assault. " The cabinet at Wash- 
ington was thrown into a state of alarm bordering upon panic. 
Mr. Stanton is reported to have exclaimed, on receipt of the 
news : " The Merrimac will change the whole character of 
the war ; she will destroy, seriatim, every naval vessel ; she will 
lay all the cities on the seaboard under contribution. I shall 
immediately recall Burnside. Port Royal must be abandoned. 
I will notify the Governors and the municipal authorities in the 
North to take instant measures to protect their harbors." From 
this it is clear that Mr, Stanton, at least, did not place much 
confidence in the ability oi the Monitor to arrest the triumph- 
ant career of her rival iron-clad. 



184 SkEtCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUtH,;VA. 

DRUGGIST, 

S. VV. Cor. High and Hlliddle Sfreets, 

JOHN MASSINQHAM 



DEALER IN 



STOVES, HOUSE-FURNISHINCI GOODS AND PUJVIPS 

and manufacturer of 

Tin, Copper and Sheet iron Ware, Roofing, Guttering and Spouting 

221 HIGH ST., PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

Orders from the Country Promptly Attended to. 

JOHN H. DIJNHAM. THOS. T. COCKE. 



MANUFACTURERS OF THE CELEBRATED 

VIRGILIO AND YUM-YUM CIGARS 

327 HIGH STREET, PORTSiVlOUTH, VA. 



Corner Green and Queen Sts., Portsmouth, Va. 

, ^EOlClfiES AriO CHEP 

FANCY AND TOILET ARTICLES, 

Toilet Soaps, Sponges, Brushes, Combs, Perfumery, Etc., Etc. 

Physicians' Prescriptions Carefully Compounded. 



its PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 1 85 

THE MERRIMAC'S FIRST ENGAGEMENT. 
As already shown, the Virginia — or Merrimac, by which 
name she was still generally known — had steamed down to 
Hampton Roads on Saturday, March 8th, 1862 — mighty in her 
strength, proud in her courage and confident in her armor — 
prepared to give battle to any and every foe whom she might 
encounter. Her " opening performance" was brilliant beyond 
precedent, and the hopes of the Confederacy were extrava- 
gantly exalted by reason of her great achievem.ent. She 
carried a full complement of officers and 320 men. The fol- 
lowing is a partial list of the former : Franklin Buchanan, 
Commodore in command of the fleet and squadron, who had 
made the Merrimac his flag-ship and commanded her in 
person ; Lieut. Catesby ap R. Jones, Executive Officer ; Lieu- 
tenants Robt. D. Minor, C. C. Simms, J. Pembroke Jones, Hunter 
Davidson, John T. Wood, John R. Eggleston, Walter R. Butt ; 
Surgeons, Dr. D. B. Phillips, A. S. Garnett; Paymaster, James 

A, Semple; Asst. Paymasters, Evan Allbright, C.J. Creekmur ; 
Midshipmen, H. B. Littlepage, R. C. Foute, H. H. Marmaduke, 
Thos. R. Rootes, W. J. Craig, J. C. Long, C. K. Mallory, F 

B. Dornin; Pilot (rank of Master), Wm. Parrish ; Engineers — 
Chief, H. A. Ramsey; Assistants, Geo. W. City, John W, 
Tynan, Louden Campbell, Benj. Herring, E. V. White, E. A. 
Jack ; Gunner, C. B. Olliver ; Boatswaii'i, Chas. H. Hasker ; 
Carpenter, Hugh Lindsey ; Marine Officer, Lieut. Reuben 
Thom. 

When the Merrimac had sunk the C^^;;^(5<?r/«7^^ and burnt 
her consort, the Congress — which had previously surrendered — 
she turned her attention to the ]\iinnesota, which had run 



186 



SlKfilCH BOOK OF ifORTSMdUTH, V"A. 



MClNTYRE BROS. & SEELINGER 

PROPRIETORS OF 

Tlie PortsmoiiliPiriiitiirniiHarsst Isuse 




Suits in Walnut, Cherry, Mahogany, Ash, Poplar & Pine 

WARDROBES, SIDEBOARDS, 

PARLOR FURNITURE, ALL STYLES, 

CARPETS, RUGS, MATTINGS, AND OIL CLOTHS, 
CHSLDREN'S CARRIAGES, 

SHADES, CURTAINS, PICTURES, TRUNKS, MATTRESSES, &c.,&c. 

High Street, Corner iVlarket Square, 

PORTSMOUTH, VA. ■ 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 



187 



aground in her effort to come to the rescue of her two unfor- 
tunate associates, and continued the attack until dusk, when 
she hauled off and anchored for the night opposite ^Seawell's 
Point.. The loss to the Federals in killed, drowned, wounded 
and missing was nearly 400 men, while the total loss on the 
Confederate side did not exceed 60. This included the casual- 
ties reported by the gunboats Patrick Henry, Beaufort, 
Jamestozcm, Raleigh and Teaser, which had taken part in the 




DUEL BETWEEN THE IRON-CLADS. 

engagement. On the Merrimac, Commodore Buchanan and 
his flag-lieutenant. Robert D. Minor were so seriously wounded 
that they were sent to the Naval Hospital at Portsmouth on 
the following morning, when the command of the squadron 
devolved upon Captain John R. Tucker, of the Patrick He^iry, 
and Lieut. Catesby ap R. Jones succeeded to the command of 
the Merrimac. 

THE DUEL OF THE IRONCLADS. 

The morning of the 9th was foggy, and it was not till 
after 8 o'clock that the Merrimac, accompanied by the Patrick 



SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



Wholesale and Retail Dealers in 



Confectionery, Foreign and Domestic Fruits 

TOYS, FIRE-WORKS, FANCY GOODS, &C. 
232 High Street. PORTSMOUTH. VA. 

H, E, CULPEPPER 

DEALER IN 

;CT FAr^lLY OROOERIES 

AND SHIP STORES, 

N. W. Corner South and Court Streets, 

PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

J. R. GAUSOi^ 



MANUFACTURER OF 



Piae Cm d M^t is Otoinnni Mw lobasct 



Cigarettes, Pipes, and Smokers' Articles Generally. 

BILLIARDS AND POOL. 

Nos. 313 AND 315 High Street, PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

C. L. DAUGHTREY 

DEALER IN 

FAMILY GROCERIES, WINES, LIQUORS, TOBACCO 
CIGARS, &C., 

Corner County and Middle Streets, 
PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 1 89 

Henry, got under weigh for the purpose of completing the de- 
struction of the Minnesota, and then seeking other victims to 
her prowess. It was now that the Monitor, which had arrived 
at Old Point on the previous night, made her first appearance 
on the scene. She engaged the Merrimac at once, while the 
other vessels remained inactive. An eye-witness writes : 

" It was a naval duel, though the Merrimac occasionally fired at the 
Minnesota, and received her shot in return. It appeared to be a battle be- 
tween a giant and a pigmy ; but it should be remembered that the A£en'i- 
mac was very hard to manage, and drew 22 feet water, whereas the Monitor 
was readily handled and drew but 10 feet water. In point off act, it was 
not necessary to manoeuvre the Monitor at all ; for, as her turret revolved, 
all she had to do was to remain still. * * After some time the Mem- 
mac succeeded in ramming the Monitor ; but her prow had been broken off 
in ramming the Cumberland the day before, and she did her no harm. The 
Monitor in turn attempted to run close to the stern of the Merritnac, in the 
hope of disabling her rudder, but was not successful. Towards 12 o'clock 
the Monitor steamed down towards Old Point, and the Merrimac, after 
waiting awhile, turned in the direction of Norfolk. * * The Merrimac 
went into dock at 6 o'clock the same day." 

Opinions have differed, and honest testimony has con- 
flicted, during the last twenty-five years, in regard to the actual 
facts of this celebrated engagement — the first encounter between 
iron-clads in the world's history. But the preponderance of 
the evidence goes to show that the Monitor was the first to 
withdraw from the contest. Upon this point, at least, the tes- 
timony of Captain Van Brunt, who commanded the Minnesota, 
and witnessed the whole affair from the deck of his vessel — the 
fate of which as she lay aground depended upon the result of 
the encounter — was not likely to be biassed in favor of the 
Merrimac; and this is what he says about it : 



I go 



SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



The Norfolk Storage Co. 

THE LARGEST PEANUT ESTABLISHMENT 
IN THE WORLD. 




wholesy^le dealers in 



FANCY HAND-PICKED AND EXTRA HAND-PICKED 



ALSO 

Extra Large f^os. 1 & 2 Shelled Peanuts. 

Weekly prices furnished on application. Correspondence Solicited. 
FACTORIES: 

Nos. 153, 155, 157, 159 and 161 Water Street, 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. I9I 



" For soroe time after this the rebels concentrated their whole battery 
upon the tower and pilot-house of the Monitor, and soon after the latter 
stood down for Fortress Monroe, and we thought it probable she had ex- 
hausted her supply of ammunition or sustained some injury. Soon after 
the Merrimac and the two other steamers headed for my ship, and I then 
felt to the fullest extent my condition. I was hard and immovably 
aground, and they could take position under my stern and rake me. I 
had expended most of my solid shot ; my ship was badly crippled, and 
my officers and men were worn out with fatigue ; but even in this extreme 
dilemma, I determined never to give up the ship to the rebels, and, after 
consulting with my officers, I ordered every preparation to be made to 
destroy the ship, after all hope of saving her was gone. On ascending 
the poop-deck I observed that the enemy's vessels had changed their 
course and -were heading for Craney Island." 

The Merrimac had lost her prow which was of cast-iron 
and weighed 1500 pounds; her unarmed stem was badly twisted 
in her attempt to ram the Monitor, and she was leaking so 
freely that her immediate return to the dock was necessary, or 
she could not have remained long afloat. She therefore failed 
in her purpose of destroying the Minnesota, while the Monitor 
accomplished her object, which was to save her. To this extent 
alone she may fairly be regarded as the victor; but after the 
Merrimac had been repaired and returned to Hampton Roads, 
which she did on the nth of April, under the command of 
Commodore Tatnall, of Georgia, neither the Moriitor nor any 
other vessel of the Federal squadron, which had been largely 
reinforced, showed the least disposition to engage her. Three 
merchant vessels, which had been run on shore between Old 
Point and Newport's News as soon as the Merrimac appeared, 
were towed off by the Confederate gun-boats, with their flags 
hoisted Union-down under the Confederate flag, to taunt their 



192 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

ESTABLISHED APRIL Uth, 1873. 



Portsmouth Daily Enterprise 



)5 HIGH STREET 



JOHN W. H. PORTER & CO.. Pubiishers 



The ENTERPRISE is Independent in Politics, and is the 

Oldest Daily Paper (with one exception) 

in Eastern Virginia. 



SUBSCRIPTION PRICE, BY MAIL: 

One Year ?5 oo 

Six Months 2 50 

Three Months i 5Q 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. I93 

protectors and induce them to come up to the rescue, but this 
produced no effect. In fact for several days the Confederate 
squadron held possession of the Roads and defied the Federal 
fleet to battle ; but the latter persistently declined it, and main- 
tained its position under the guns of Fortress Monroe. 

" On the 8th of May," says the eye-witness already quoted, " only twx) 
days before the Confederates evacuated Norfolk, while the Merrimac was 
at the Navy- Yard, Flag-Ofiicer Goldsborough took advantage of her ab- 
sence to come above Old Point, with the Monitor and a number of other 
vessels, and bombard Seawell's Point. When the news was telegraphed 
to Norfolk the Merrimac cast off her fasts and steamed down the harbor. 
As soon as her smoke was seen the entire Federal fleet fled below Old 
Point again, and was pursued by the Merrimac until under the guns of 
Fortress Monroe." 

Among those who formed the Merrimac' s crew on this 
memorable occasion, and those who fought on board of her in 
the capacity of volunteer artillerists, the following survivoi« 
Still reside in Portsmouth and its immediate neighborhood: !^ 
V. White, Engineer ; C. J. Creekmur, Paymaster's Assistant J 
C. B. Oliver, Gunner ; Wm. R. Jarvis, Carpenter's Mate, of 
the Ship's Company ; and Captain Thomas Kevill, Lieut. Jamea 
E. Barry and Andrew J. Dalton, of the United Artillery, Vol- 
unteers. 

THE END OF THE RIVAL GIANTS. 

On May loth, Portsmouth, Norfolk and all the fortified 
places in the neighborh"Dod were evacuated by the Confederate 
forces, and the Merrimac became useless. She was too deep 
in the water to ascend James River, and the evacuation had 
practically cut her off from all kinds of supplies — ammunition 
as well as provisions. It was therefore decided to land her 



194 



SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 




ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 195 

crew near Craney Island and destroy the ship, to prevent her 
falling into Federal hands. She was accordingly put on shore 
the same night and fired. Early in the morning she blew up 
with a terrible explosion, and her crew followed the retreating 
army to Suifolk, 22 miles distant, which was reached the same 
evening. The Monitor was subsequently lost — December 30th, 
1862 — in a storm off Cape Hatteras. Thus both the cham- 
pions, whose meeting had caused a profound sensation 
throughout the civilized world — destined, as it was, to com- 
pletely revolutionize naval warfare — had ceased to exist before 
the eventful year which gave them birth had come to a close. 



THE CQUWl 



^N the 8th of May, 1875, a meeting was held at the City 
Hall for the purpose of organizing the Portsmouth 
City and Norfolk County Monument Association. A 
large number of prominent citizens were present, and the follow- 
ing officers were elected : President, Major J. F. Crocker ; Vice 
Presidents, Major W. H. Etheredge and Col. Wm. White; 
Treasurer, Major George W. Grice ; Secretary, O. V. Smith ; 
Directors, B. A. Armistead, J. T. Griffin, John G. Wallace, W. 
C. Wingfield, E. G. Ghio, James H. Toomer, D. J. Godwin, 
John H. Gayle, W. H. Murdaugh, Maj. F. W. Jett, C. W. Mur- 
daugh. Judge L. R. Watts, C. T. Phillips, Thos. H. Brown, 
Alonzo Ives, Thos. M. Hodges, Jetson Jett and Wm. H. 
Stewart. 



196 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

J. S. CRAWFORD 



DEALER IN 



RUGS, OIL CLOTHS, MATTINGS, 
PiCTURES, PICTURE FRAMES, MiRRORS, CURTAINS, BABY CARRIAGES, FEATHERS, 

MATTRESSES, CLOCKS, DESKS, BED SPRINGS, &C. 

T/ie only exclusive Furniture and Carpet House in the City. 

Best Assortment. Easiest Terms. Largest Stock, Smallest Margins. 

Highest Quality. Lozvest Prices. 

AT HIS NEW THREE-STORY BRICK STORE, 

No. 205 County Street ■ - FORTSIVIOUTH, VA. 

CASH OFl JgiS STALLIViEgJTS. 

CHAS. L. TUTHILL 

riAIR DRESSlf^G, SHAVIMG k SHAl^lPOOfWG SALOON 

RECENTLY RE-PAINTED AND* RENOVATED. 

512 IVIiddle Street, Near Hsgh, 

PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

PORTSMOUTH IRON WORKS 
J. F. CLARKE, Proprietor. 

DEALEii m EMGSr^ES KM GENERAL IVtACi^iNERY 

Corner Water attd King Streets. 

All kinds of Repairing in City and Country promptly attended to at 
reasonable rates. All kinds of Mill Supplies furnished to order. I send 
wdrkmeil to any part of the country f6r repairs on Engines 6r Bbilers. 



ITS PEOPLE AND itS tRADH. I97 

At this meeting proposals were received for the erection 
of a monument, according to plans and specifications furnished 
by Capt. C. E. Cassell, architect, ranging from $17,000 to 
$ig,ooo. It happened, however, that the Seaboard & Roanoke 
and the Raleigh & Gaston Railroad Companies had generously 
relieved the Association of a large portion of this expense by 
offering to present the granite from their quarries near Hen- 
derson, N. C, and to transport it, free of charge, to Portsmouth; 
the Association paying merely the cost of quarrying and 
handling the stone. 

The site upon which the monument stands was selected at 
a subsequent meeting. Committees were appointed, collections 
and subscriptions were set on foot — the ladies being of course 
the most active v/orkers — and on December 14th, 1876, t^e 
corner stone was laid with becoming ceremonies. On June 
14th, 1 88 1, the cap-stone was hoisted into position and set by 
the officers of the Ladies' Memorial Association in the presence 
of a large assembly of sympathisers. The monument is a plain 
granite shaft, ornamented at the cap, 35 feet 6 inches in height, 
resting on a base 20 feet high and 15 feet square including the 
buttresses — the entire height from the ground being 56 feet. 
It is surrounded by an ornamental iron railing, and the but- 
tresses will shortly receive four life-size bronze statues 
representing the four branches of the Confederate service — in- 
fantry, artillery, cavalry and the navy. On the face of the 
cap-stone fronting South is carved a single star, and beneath 
it, on the die block, are the words — " To Our Confederate 
Dead. " It is said to be the finest Confederate Monument in 
the South, except the one at Ahgusta, Ga.,wliieh cost ^23,060. 



198 



SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 







\\ 15 




i o 
1 ^ 

'J 



Bfta:^.i«^7s^iie>syiKe^9«i.«9£^«l 



THE SOLDSEHS' I^OS^E, i^A^FTOf^, 



LD Point Comfort, as its name implies, was regarded by 
the hardy and adventurous voyager of three centuries 
ago as a " haven of rest," after the storms and perils of the 
pathless Ocean. But in those remote days it was a mere strip of 
barren land, where the infrequent rushes nodded in the breeze 
and the wolf made his solitary lair. Great changes have marked 
the scene since then, and the once desolate marshes are now 
reclaimed and dotted with "tower and town and hamlet, " far 
as the eye can reach. 

On nearing Old Point fiom Portsmouth and Norfolk, the 
visitor will notice from the steamer's deck, to the left of 
Fortress Monroe and the famous Hygeia Plotel, (and fronting 
the waters of Hanjpton Roads,) an imposing structure, surmount- 
ed by a spangled dome and surrounded by other handsome 
buildings, all delightfully situated in the midst of ornamental 
trees and statuary, beyond which are broad stretches of highly 
cultivated land. This is the Southern Branch of the National 
Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers. 

It was founded in 1 871, by the] Federal Government, as 
an asylum for wounded and disabled veterans, so that the 
origiarJ title given to this locality — Old Point Comfort — still 
holds good. At first only fifty inmates were sheltered, but as 
the " Flome " became better known for the recuperative virtues 
6f its climate and water, th6 nUiiibef grddlidlly iAdfeasedj until 



200 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH VA., 

ELiaiBLE SITES 

FOR 

Manufacturino" Concerns 



THE WATER-FRO^iTAGE PROPERTY OF DR. WPJ. SCHrvlOELE, JR. 



A glance at the inset chart of the Southern Branch and its shores will 
convince the reader that there are few cities whose immediate vicinity 
furnishes such excellent locations for manufacturing and industrial estab- 
lishments, of almost any nature, as does that of Portsmouth. It will be 
seen that nearly the whole of the western bank of the river from Back 
Creek to the Locks of the Dismal Swamp Canal is in the hands of one 
proprietor, Dr. V/M. Schmoele, Jr., and that the water frontage, along 
nearly its whole length, projects within a few feet of the natural channel, 
wliicli, with the exception of one or two narrow bars, is deep enough for 
all industrial purposes. Within the last few months negotiations have 
been pending (and are now almost concluded) for the purchase of a con- 
siderable tract of this land by a wealthy Company, who intend to establish 
here an important manufacturing enterprise; and their example will 
doubtless be followed before long by many other concerns desiring eligible 
locations for similar purposes. With our magnificent bailor and unex- 
celled railroad and shipping facilities for transporting products to all parts 
of the world, it may confidently be claimed that no better opportunities 
are available for acquiring valuable property on easy terms than are now 
to be secured on the tract above referred, to, and it is very certain that the 
prices of this class of real estate mxrst shortly advance, .owing to the im- 
provements which will be made. Capitalists and others interested in mc' 
chanical industries shoald not fall to call upon or communicate with Dr. 
ScHMOELfi tjeford ifti^^Sting their money eLevvhere. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 26t 

at the present time nearly seventeen hundred old soldiers are 
accommodated. 

Captain P. T. Woodfin, the present Governor, took charge 
on January 17th, 1873, and the evidences of his prosperous 
rule appear to multiply at every turn. The grounds are taste- 
fully laid out and traversed in all directions by dry, solid drives 
or gravelled paths ; a base-ball park and agricultural grounds 
have been provided, while graceful and substantial buildings 
have been clustered so as to greatly enhance the beauty of the 
landscape. Along the water-front a solid plank walk, known 
as " The Boulevard, " has been built, together with a large 
wharf and commodious bath-house for the use of the inmates. 

The officers of the institution are Captain P. T. Woodfin, 
Governor; Captain Wm. Thompson, Treasurer and Secretary; 
and Dr. S. K. Towle, Surgeon. General George Bt Mc- 
Clennan was for several years local manager, and took great 
interest in the Home. Since his death General James S. 
Negley has been appointed his successor. 

The main buildiRg, which forms the subject of our ihustra- 
tion, is four stories high and each story is surrounded by a 
broad piazza. It is supplied with all the modern comforts and 
conveniences, and on its summit is the observatory, from which 
an ever changing panorama of land and water is presented. 

Ward Memorial Hall,' built from funds bequeathed by Mr. 
Horatio Ward, of London, England, contains the refectory, 
billiard hail, and theatre. A new hospital has been recently 
completed at a cost of $125,000. The Officers' Quarters are 
in neat cottages along the water front. The Governor's and 
Treasurer's 6fific6S occupy suitable buildings, as also the 



202 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 




ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE 203 

Library, Fire-Engine House, Conservatory and other useful 
departments. An Artesian well supplies excellent water. 

This institution, which possesses numerous attractions in 
addition to those enumerated above, has received under its 
friendly shelter thousands of broken down soldiers, R-any of 
whom it has sent away with renewed health and strength — 
now active citizens, able to take their part once more in the 
batde of life. 



WSETEOS^OLGCICAL Fi^EAKS 



DESPITE the obvious fact that the State of Virginia, and 
especially its Eastern portion, enjoys geographioal and 
climatic advantages superior to those of any other State 
in the Union, it nevertheless happens that, in common with 
every other spot on the earth's surface, she is occasionally 
visited by what might fairly be called Atmospheric Phenomena, 
so seldom do they occur — the rare exceptions to the estab- 
lished rule of genial equability. 

" THE BIG FREEZE." 

In January, 1857, for example, a snow-storm of great vio- 
lence burst upon the coast and invaded the tide-water counties, 
accompanied by a strong wind and high tides. On Monday, 
the 19th, the " innocent snow " lay six feet deep, and the river 
was frozen over from shore to shore. A few days later the 
whole harbor was blockaded with ice, and all communication 
by 'water was cut off. At one time the mercury registered 



204 SKETCH EOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

i^URDAUCH & MAY© 

James River Bricks 

Bright Bed Pressed, Paving &. Bylldlng Bricks 

YARDS ON 

James River, Mou\h of Pagan Creek 

p. O. BOX 114, NORFOLK, VA. 

RiDDiCK & Richardson 
HARDWARE 

CUTLERY, BAR IRON Ar^lD STEEL. PLOWS A^D CASTINGS 
Wheel Timber, Iron Axles, FarmingMmpiements, &c. 
.610 Market Square, ..... PORTSMOUTH. VA. 

"■ BERHY &, SOW ~ 



WHOLSSVLS AND RETAIL DEALERS IM 



BEEF, VEAL, LAiB AID liOTTON 

GOOD BEEF A SPECIALTY. 

Stalls 28 and 30, City l^larket, 

PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 205 

nine degrees below zero — an unheard-of event in this latitude 
but common enough at the North and North-west where 
" blizzards " are mere incidents of every winter's experience. 
Thousands of people swarmed upon the ice and availed them- 
selves of this opportunity — the first within the memory of 
living men, and probably the last for many generations to 
come — of disporting themselves upon the now congealed bosom 
of the hitherto hospitable and warm-hearted Elizabeth. 

"THE AUGUST STORM." 

Again, on August i8th, 1879, the city was surprised by 
the unwelcome visit of som.ething very nearly akin to a hurri- 
cane — or so, at least, it seemed to the unaccustomed eyes of 
the population, although it would probably have aroused 
neither surprise nor alarm in our brethren who dwell in the 
prairie-home of the cyclone and tornado. It began about g 
o'clock', a, m., with a furious easterly v/ind and driving rain, 
which lasted several hours, inflicting considerable damage upou 
tlie shade-trees, fences and lightly-constructed buildings of the 
City. The wharves and gardens near the river were sub- 
merged, vessels were driven ashore, and the bark David 
Dudley was capsized and drifted, bottom upwards, to the 
Berkley Flats. An occasional more-than-usually impetuous 
blast would tear the branches from the trees, palings from the 
fences and shingles from the houses, in a manner equally uncere- 
monious and impartial, and hurl them about in" all directions. 
Trees were uprooted, houses damaged, and woe to the mer- 
chants whose sign-boards were not firmly secured ! The 
surrounding country also suffered severely, chietly in the^matter 



206 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

Nottingliam, Wrenn & Styron 



MANUFACTURERS OF 



Norfolk Fertilizers & Shell Lime 

DEALERS IN KAINIT AND PHOSPHATES, 

■ Agricultural (Shell) Lime at Im Prices 

For large or small quantities. 
General Office, 56 Main Street, under Atlantic Hotel, NORFOLK, VA. 
Factory, Burton's Point, above Navy-Yard, PORTSMOUTH 



NOTTINGHAM & WRENN 
Commission Merchants 



Shingles at lowest market prices in "large lots or any quantity- 
desired. Lumber Bills cut to order. 
General Office, 56 Main Street, under Atlantic Hotel, NORFOLK, VA. 

YARDS : 
Burton's Point, above Navy-Yard, - PO^TSPalOUTI^, ¥A. 
McCullough's Wharf, . , . . NORFOLK, VA. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 207 

of fences and barns. Numerous slight accidents and " hair 
breadth 'scapes" were reported, but fortunately the city 
escaped without any loss of life. For several days afterwards 
the local newspapers enlarged upon the destruction wrought 
by this unwonted visitor, which is still commonly referred to 
as " The August Storm," although more than seven years have 
elapsed since its passage. 

THE RECENT EARTHQUAKE. 

The earthquake of August 31st, of this year, which filled 
Charleston, S. C, with mourning and desolation, was felt here 
also, and with sufficient force to shake everything else except 
the confidence of the Portsmouth people in themselves and in 
the future prosperity of their city ; but the shock was not re- 
peated and no evil consequences ensued. 

So _ extremely infrequent, indeed, are atmospheric or 
seismic disturbances of any kind in this placid and delectable 
latitude that their visitations assume almost historical impor- 
tance, being regarded by our people as epochs whence 
succeeding time is measured, and are consequently entitled to 
be placed on record in Portsmouth's " Sketch Book. " 



POCAHONTAS STEAM COAL. 



THE NORFOLK AND WESTERN RAILROAD COMPANY'S COALING STA- 
TION AT LAMBERT'S POINT IN THE LOWER HARBOR. 

AS Hampton Roads, from its situation midway between the 
Banks of Newfoundland and the Gulf of Mexico, with its 
safe harbor and easy access, was admirably adapted for a 
coaling station for ocean steamers, the Norfolk and Western 



208 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



STE. 

W. B. ROGERS OR THOMAS NEWTON 

LEAVE NORFOLK EVERY 



AT 7 A. M. 

For all Landings on the Dismal Swamp Canal. 
Freights for the above Steamers received daily from 8 A. M. to 5 P. M. 

HENRY ROBERTS, Superintendent. 
THE DISi^AL SWAH^P CAi^AL 

will admit sharp built vessels drawing five feet of water ; lighter built 
vessels, four feet. 

The Locks will admit 96 feet length, and 161^ feet breadth of beam, 
Rafts secured with chains must not be over 14 feet wide ; secured with 
binders, not over 12 feet wide. They must be well secured to the satisfac- 
tion of the Canal authorities. 

Steamers will not be admitted without a permit from this ofSce, 

HENRY ROBERTS, Supt., Higgins' Wharf, Norfolk, Va. 



OFFICERS : 

JOHN B. WHITEHEAD President 

HENRY ROBERTS Superintendent- 

H. C. WHITEHEAD Secretary and Treasurer. 

S. W. GARY Collector. 

Directors : ; _ ' ' 

J. B. Whitehead, W. H. C. Ellis, C.W.Newton,, J.Y.Leighj 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 209 

Railroad Company, with a view to extending the facilities for 
the steam marine in this particular, have recently constructed 
berths for bunkering- steamers at their grand coal pier at Lam- 
bert's Point, with 26 feet of water, and the most approved 
chutes 45 feet high, enabling steamers of any size to be coaled 
there with the greatest possible dispatch. The| Pier is five- 
eights of a mile long, with double tracks and chutes on both 
sides. It has berths for coaling three large steamships at the 
same time, besides ample accommodations for coastwise vessels, 
and is capable of being doubled in capacity should business 
require it. The Pier is in a safe harbor, and the river bottom, 
being of soft mud, can be easily kept dredged to any required 
depth. The Virginia Pilots' Association have certified that 
they can put a steamship drawing 25]feet at the Pier at any time. 
The Appalachian chain of mountains, reaching from Penn- 
sylvania to Carolina, and traversing Maryland, Virginia and 
West Virginia, is filled with the finest coal beds on the American 
continent. Its seams of Semi-Bituminous Coal are found to yield 
the best steam coal, and the further to the South they extend 
the finer the quality appears to become. In Tazewell County, 
Virginia, the perfection of this class of coal has been found, 
the seams all producing the same character of coal, containing 
less sulphur and ash than the more northerly products. About 
three years ago the Norfolk and Western Railroad Company 
connected these mines, which are situated in and around the 
town of Pocahontas, in the Flat Top Mountains, with this port, 
and so excellent has the coal proved for steam -generating pur- 
poses, that immense quantities are now brought here daily for 
local consumption and for shipment, principally to New England 



2IO SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

Worth Knowiii' 



BEING MANUFACTURERS OF 

CLOTHING 

and carrying a LARGE STOCK at all times, 

wouldn't it be as well when you're in want of CLOTHING to 

give us a call ? We make a specialty of 

Business Suits 



ranging in prices from $5 to $10, with a full and complete line 
of the finer grades. 

New Goods constantly arriving and at PRICES that you'll 
find to be the LOWEST. 



BURK & CO. 

112 and 114 Main St., - Norfolk, Va. 



ITS PEOPLE AND iTS TRADE. 2ll 

ports. The best conducted railroads in the East and the 
fastest local steamship lines are using the Pocahontas Coal. It 
produces steam quicker and has less clinker than any other 
semi-bituminous coal, and English engineers who have used it 



LAMBERT'S POINT COAL PIER. 

on the ocean state that it comes nearer to the best Welsh Coal 
than any they have hitherto obtained in the United States. 

Every possible arrangement has been made by the Rail- 
road Company to expedite the coaling of steamers, which can 
ribWj tiy mgtidlling AS th6y p£iSS th6 Capes, give the Pier two 



212 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

Valentine's Meat Juice Woits. 

RICHEVIOND, VA. 

This handsome establishment, whose product has done much towards 
spreading the fame of Virginia's Capital throughout the world of industry 
and commerce, is conveniently situater! on the corner of Gary and Sixth 
streets. It was built in 1884 by Mr. Mann S. Valentine, in obedience to 
the rapidly increasing demand for the celebrated extract which bears his 
name. During the fifteen years since it first appeared, to cheer and comfort 
the invalids of all nations, Valentine's Meat Juice has earned the unan- 
imous endorsement of the medical faculty, and has been awarded medals 
and diplomas at the" Centennial Exposition" (Philadelphia) in 1876; the 
" Exposition Universal" (Paris) in 1878 ; the "Domestic and Scientific Ex- 
hibition " (Brighton, England) in 1881 ; and the " Medical and Scientific 
Exhibition" (London) in 1881. At the first named it received the highest 
award for " Excellence of its method of preparation, whereby it more 
nearly represents fresh meat than any other extract of meat, its freedom 
from disagreeable taste, its fitness for immediate absorption, and the per- 
fection in which it retains its good qualities in warm climates." Since 
then it has attained worid-wide popularity, simply and solely by virtue of 
its own intrinsic merit, and has earned the highest commendations from 
such conservative publications as the London Lancet, the British Medical 
Journal, and others, while eminent physicians and chemists throughout 
the world have been unanimous in its praise. It is easily portable, and is 
therefore of special benefit to the traveller by land or sea. It is absolutely 
unaffected by change of temperature or climate, having proved itself of 
equal value in the Tropics, where its consumption is rapidly increasing, 
and in the Polar Seas,, whither it was taken by the medical officers connec- 
ted with the Greely Relief Expedition. 

The several departments of Mr. Valentine's business are filled by his 
four sons, Messrs. G. G., M. S., Jr., B. B. and F. S. Valentine. These 
young men do ample justice to the training they have received and to the 
intelligent energy they have inherited. During the season of the active 
production of the Meat Juice they are busily engaged about the Works ; 
this season over, they arc away, sometimes in distant lands, attending to 
matters connected with the further success of their great ehterprise. 



its PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE 213 

and a half to three hours' notice of their coming, so that every- 
thing will be in readiness for them. By using the code letters 
" L. M. B," they will be reported by telegraph as coming for 
coal, and by giving their number, their names will also be re- 
ported. The health officer will be on hand, and in case of 
windy weather a tug will be supplied, free of charge, to assist 
in berthing a steamer. 

During the year ending June 30th, 1886, sixty-eight for- 
eign steamers (62 British, 5 Spanish and i Norwegian) and 514 
American sailing vessels have received Pocahontas Coal at 
Lambert's Point Pier, aggregating the enormous quantity of 
376,426 tons, or a monthly average of 31,369 tons. This is 
exclusive of local and harbor deliveries, and affords convincing 
proof of the great popularity this Coal has attained since the 
Pier was completed sufficiently to begin business. 



013R COLORED BitS:THR£^S. 



THEIR PROSPEROUS CONDITION. 



\0 the people of Virginia, as of the South generally, the 
relations existing between the two races — white and 
colored — is one of paramount importance, and involves 
the stability of the whole social structure. Politically speaking 
the races are antagonistic, by habit rather than by deliberate 
choice ; but with this our Sketch Book has no concern. The 
problem here refers entirely to the social economy of the commu- 
nity, and occupies a position very similar to that other great 
problem which has assumed Sttdi gr6it protnlnence in othef 



Si4 



SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



"lliePorhiao^iyailyliiBsf 

"Tidewater Times" 
" Portsmoutli Observer" 



J. H. WILCOX, Editor and Proprietor. 



W. B. WILDER, Business Manager. 



' The "PORTSMOUTH DAILY TIMES" has been established 
about eight years. It is Democratic in politics. Its circulation is larger 
than any other newspaper that is distributed in Portsmouth, Va., and 
Suffolk, Va., and the towns adjoining this city. It is devoted to the moral 
and commercial improvement and the development of the business inter- 
ests of this ctftiiiiiunity. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 215 

parts of the United States, namely, the attitude maintained be- 
tween Capital and Labor. 

Apart, then, from the question of politics, it may be stated 
at once that the white and colored races of this pleasant City 
dwell together in perfect peace and harmony to a degree rarely 
met with in this or any other Southern^ State. No better 
evidence of this fact can be adduced than the condition of 
comfort and prosperity which our colored brethren have 
attained, the value of the church property they have acquired 
and the educational advantages they enjoy. 

THE AFRICAN M. E, CHURCH. . 

This church was organized in 1857, and was formerly 
known as the Old Glasgow Street M. E. Church. It now 
occupies a fine site on North Street, and adjoining it stands the 
handsome new parsonage (see the illustration on page 157.) 
The property belonging to this organization is worth $50,000, 
and the amount raised by the congregation during the last 
three and a half years, under the administration of its present 
energefic pastor, the Rev. W. G. Alexander, for religious, 
educational and other purposes, amounted to no less a sum 
than $14,000. The membership of this church exceeds nine 
hundred, and there is an average attendance at the Sunday 
School of over five hundred scholars. Within the main organ- 
ization of the church are numerous " Societies " and " Associa- 
tions " for instructive and benevolent objects, and this church 
may safely be mentioned as among the most earnest and pros- 
perous religious institutions of the South. 



2l6 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 




DOUBLE DAILY PASSENGER & FREIGHT LINE 
BETWEEN 

PORTSMOUTH, Norfolk, Old Point Comfort and Baltimore, Wilmington, 
Philadelphia, New York, Boston, and all Points East and West. 
Passenger Trains only ii hours between New York and Portsmouth. 
Pullman Palace and Parlor Cars are run through without transfer. 

The only Line between Portsmouth and the North by which passen- 
gers are not subjected to transfers. 

Fast Freight Trains composed of Cars built expressly for the trans- 
portation of Vegetables and other perishable freight are run between 
Portsmouth, Norfolk and Philadelphia, New York and Boston, daily ex- 
cept Sundays, affording a great saving in time over all other lines. 

Freight Cars are Run Through from Portsmouth and Norfolk 

TO 



AVOIDING REHANDLING OF ALL BUSINESS. 



Low Passenger & Freight Rates & Quick Time. 

Connects at Portsmouth and Norfolk with all water lines to North 
Carolina ; the Norfolk and Western Railroad and Norfolk Southern Rail- 
road ; the Seaboard and Roanoke Railroad, and the Atlantic Coast Line ; 
at Delmar with the Pennsylvania Railroad — over all of winch through 
rates and Bills of Lading are issued. 

Mil on Sale at 411 frinsipal OificeE Iforili ari Mi 

R. B. COOICE, 

General Passenger and FreigJd Agent^ 
PORtsMOUTtt AND NORFOLK, VA. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 2x7 

ZION BAPTIST CHURCH. 

This flourishing Church is an off-shoot of the Court Street 
Baptist Church, and was organized in March, 1865, by three 
hundred and eighteen members who had obtained letters of 
dismissian from the latter. One of their number, E. G. Cor- 
prew, was ordained to the ministry and became pastor of the 
new Church, which he served faithfully until his death, in 18S1, 




ZION (COLORED) BAPTIST CHURCH. 

having built up a membership of about a thousand. In March, 
1882, he was succeeded by the present pastor, the Rev. J. M. 
Armistead, a graduate of Richmond Institute. Under his 
faithful charge the membership has increased to 1600 and is 
now the largest in the City. Having paid off all its indebted- 
ness, part of which was incurred through the destruction by 
fire 5f their ofiginal plaCe bt worship) the tongregatioii are 



2l8 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

now preparing to remodel and enlarge their present Church 
building on the corner of Green and King Streets. In con- 
nection with Zion Baptist Church — a view of which is shown 
on page 217 — are a flourishing Sunday School, two Missionary- 
Societies, an Educational Society and a Lyceum. 

THE CHESTNUT STREET PUBLIC SCHOOL. 

An engraving of this handsome and commodious building 
will be found on page 173. It was built in 1878, and is the 
oldest of the three splendid Public School Houses which the 
citizens of Portsmouth feel an honest pride in having erected. 
The school has an average attendance of over 400 pupils, and 
is under the management of Mr, I. C. Norcum, its efficient 
principal. The value attached to religious and educational 
matters by our colored population affords a very strong illus- 
tration of their advancing intelligence and their capacity for 
intellectual culture ; while the sympathy and encouragement 
extended to them in this City by their white neighbors are 
convincing proofs of the mutual good-will that governs the 
intercourse between the races, despite the too-frequent recur- 
rence of Election day when they stand arrayed against each 
other under the rival banners. This unfortunate barrier to 
complete unity of interest will doubtless be removed before 
many more decades — or even years — have rolled by, and after 
that — the millennium ! 



.g-iia;i-^.J 



OUR RAILROAD FACILITIES. 



THE SEABOARD & ROANOKE RAILROAD. 

IN 1835, the Seaboard & Roanoke Railroad Company 
dispatched its first train firom Portsmouth to the neigh- 
boring town of Suffolk, a distance of seventeen miles. 
Between these two points lies the northern portion of the 
Dismal Swamp, and the difficulties attending the construction 
of the line across this famous morass were enormous. In 1851 
the road was completed to Weldon, N. C, and the first railroad 
communication between this section of Virginia and the outer 
world was estabhshed. At Weldon the Seaboard & Roanoke 
Railroad connects with the Raleigh and Gaston Railroad, 
leading to Raleigh, the capital city of North Carolina, where it 
joins the Raleigh & Augusta Road, leading to Hamlet, and 
there intersects the Carolina Central Railroad, from Wilming- 
ton to Shelby via Hamlet and Charlotte, at which point we 
find roads running to Asheville, Columbia, Augusta and other 
Railroad Centres, whence direct communication is maintained 
with New Orleans and all points South and South West. The 
immediate connections of the Seaboard & Roanoke Railroad, 
extending from Weldon, via Raleigh and Hamlet, to Char- 
lotte, Shelby and Rutherfordton, in the interior of North 
Carolina, and to Wilmington on the coast, constitute the com- 
prehensive railroad system known as 



220 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

THE SEABOARD AIR LINE, 
which consists of the four railroads above mentioned, viz : the 
Seaboard and Roanoke, the Raleigh and Gaston, the Raleigh 
and Augusta and the Carolina Central. The Seaboard Air 
Line thus form the letter Y, the foot of the stem being at a 
point in tbe extreme southwestern part of the Piedmont region 
of North Carolina and the two prongs terminating at the great 
central seaports of Portsmouth, Va., and Wilmington, N. C, 
about 300 miles apart. Under the same management with 
these roads is the famous Baltimore Steam Packet Company, 
or Bay Line, of which more extended mention is made in 
another place. The territory penetrated by the Seaboard Air 
Line probably enjoys greater advantages than any other of 
equal extent on the face of the earth. Beginning at Ports- 
mouth, its northern terminus, it first traverses the famous 
"trucking" lands whence the Northern and Western markets 
draw their supplies of early fruits and vegetables ; thence it 
passes through the great forests of North Carolina which con« 
tain, in almost inexhaustible quantities, nearly every one of the 
twenty kinds of timber admitted to the United States ship- 
yards as suitable for building vessels ; and there are left about 
forty thousand square miles of forest in the State still uncut. 
Proceeding to the westward, immense beds of fine granite and 
brown sandstone are found ; and beyond these, rich mineral 
deposits, cortiprising coal, iron, copper and even gold. The 
soil also is various and productive, and "the climate almost per- 
fect. No wonder, therefore, that the tide of immigration has 
recently sought this favored section, in preference to the colder 
and less fertile territories of the North-west. The lands, more- 



ITS -PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 221 



over, along- the lines of this important raih'oad system, are 
cheap, and they produce, in addition to the best rice, cotton 
and tobacco, all the grain crops, grasses and fruits of the tem- 
perate zone. The enterprising management of these consoli- 
dated lines ofiers extraordinary inducements to immigrants and 
to all persons wishing to visit and inspect this section of the 
country with a view to settling at or near any of the numerous 
eligible districts through which the roads, embraced by this 
system, pass. 

Affiliated with the Seaboard Air Line, although under an 
entirely distinct management, is another consolidated system, 
which connects Richmond, the capital city of Virginia, with 
V\/'ilmington, North Carolina's principal seaport. It is known as 

THE ATLANTIC COAST LINE, 

and is formed of the Richmond & Petersburg, the Petersburg 
& Weldon and the Wilmington & Weldon Railroads. 
This great dual system lorms the nucleus, as it were, of an 
almost interminable network of Railways which includes the 
famous " cotton belt " and opens up the once obscure and re- 
mote interiors of the Southern, South-western and Gulf States. 
The importance of the Seaboard & Roanoke Railroad, 
with its far-reaching connections, as a feeder to the trade and 
commerce of Portsmouth, can best be demonstrated by a brief 
statement in connection with its business. In the matter of 
cotton, for example, the following figures will be found interest- 
ins: and sienificant : 



222 



SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



Receipts of Cotton, by bales, over the Seaboard and Roan- 
oke Railroad, for Jive years, beginning Sept. i, 1881/ 


Total receipts at the port 
of Norfolk 6^ Ports- 
















Season 


N. York 


Boston 


Phila. 


Bait. 


Local 


Total 


mouth : 


1881-82 


44,601 


1,799 


5,540 


27,670 


170,986 


250,596 


622,883 


1882-83 


56,844 


5,982 


6,739 


26,628 


192,612 


288,805 


800,133 


188!5-84 


6.S,075 


3,857 


3,097 


18,593 


132,241 


220,863 


582,872 


1884-85 


38,313 


1,911 


1.452 


18,975 


j 158,048 


218,699 


545,418 


1885-86 


30,221 


2,283 


2,081 


20,349 


152,620 


. 207,554 


565,958 


Total ... 


233,054 


15,832 


18,909 


112,215 


806,507 


1,186,517 


■-■ 3,117,264 -^ . . 



The following table shows the North-bound business over 
the Seaboard & Roanoke Railroad for the year ending 
March ist, 1886, exclusive of the cotton movement: 



Class of Articles. 


No. Cars 


No. Bbls. 


No. Feet 


No. Bush. 


Weight in Lbs. 












17,294,764 
60,691,799 

1,940,000 

34,940,000 

760,000 

4,000,000 

6,921,200 
24,701,950 

8,976,000 














97 

1,747 

38 

200 












10,482,000 










Wood 










17,303 

68,638 




















408,000 










Total 










160,225,71 







/• 




Chart of the Southei '" Branch of the Elizabeth River, from the Norfoll< & Western Railroad Crossing down to the U: S. Naval Hospital. 



l [warerlf.'^"'""'''^''''™'^''^"-''™"^^^^^"'' A'. Tmnt & Bro 's L, 'mber Yard. 

j warehouses. •,, t,_,.:___ „'." " Packet Company's (Bay Line) 



■ing list sliows the names of the owners or occupiers of the property indicated by the corr 



,V p°"i'\';^ '?'■■'''''* ^^^"■'^ Warehouses. 
''•R. J. Neely&Co.'5Luml,erYard. 

'/ rlT' '^'T'^'"' '^ "'"'•' <^°''>' ^'«' Wood Yard 
y- loitsmouthand Norfolk-County Ferries. 



Baltimore Steam 
Warehouses. 

Seaboard & Roar °'^"= Radroad Co.'s Depot 
''oal andWood Yard, 
s Coal and Wood Yard. 



/. G. Armstrong & Son's Saw Mill. 

m. White & Fleming's Oyster Packing Houses. 



ponding italic initials on the chart : 

Nottingham, Wrenn & Styron's Fertilizer and Shell v. John L. Thomas' Ship-Yard and Marine Railway, 
Lime Factory. Nottingham & Wrenn's Lumber& w. Upshur Guano Co.'s Fertilizer Factory. 



y. W. &J. Park 

i: R.J. Neely&Co 



y Seaboard Compress Co.'s Warehouses. 

/. United States Buoy Depot. . 
(/. Unoccupied. 
i!.ii. Imperial Guano Company's Factory. i.i. Charles Reid & Son's Fertilizer Factory, 



tory 
Shingle Wharf. 
s. C. S. Sherwood. 

i. Portsmouth and Norfolk-County Ferries. 
It. Norfolk Southern Railroad Co.'s Terminus. 



Upshur Guano Co.'s Fertilizer Factory. 
X. E, M. Tilley's Saw Mill. 
)'. Freeman, Lloyd, Mason SDrydcn's Guano (Poco- 

nioke) Factory, 
c. Old Dominion Creosoting Works, 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 223 

THE NORFOLK SOUTHERN RAILROAD. 
This road was built in 1881, from Berkley, on the eastern 
bank of the Southern Branch immediately opposite Ports- 
mouth, through Elizabeth City and Hertford, to Edenton, N. 
C, on the beautiful bay of that name, at the western end of 
Albemarle Sound, a distance of 74 miles. It is well built and 
thoroughly equipped, providing adequate facilities for travel 
and shipment to a contiguous territory, wonderful for its fertility 
and the great diversity of its products. Stations at short 
intervals and numerous private sidings — furnished upon liberal 
terms to shippers — have diverted to the road the business of 
the tributary counties from channels through which it flowed 
for a century, and its beneficent impress has been in many 
ways stamped upon the section which it traverses. Connect- 
ing steamers bring to it, from the sounds and rivers, fruits and 
other products of the land, fish from the sea and fowl from the 
air, which are carried by the Norfolk Southern Road to this 
port, v/hence they are speedily conveyed by connecting lines 
to the markets of Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, Boston 
and the other great business centres of the country. The 
policy of this enterprising Company has been to provide the 
facilities above described to the whole section as speedily as 
possible and without reference to immediate return. In addi- 
tion to its road it has provided steamboats to run between 
Elizabeth City and the villages along the rivers and sounds, 
thereby extending to hitherto remote and inaccessible localities 
all the advantages of the Railroad, not only moving the crops 
out, and merchandise in, but also- the coal, ice, salt, lime and 
the coarser freights generally. Not only the lumber manufac- 



224 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

tured along the road, but the logs themselves cut beside it and 
brought to it by water, are carried to the mills of Portsmouth 
and the vicinity ; while the superior connections at this port 
have largely increased the traffic in perishable articles — fish, 
game, fruits, vegetables, &c. — which can now be placed in the 
market stalls of Washington and other Northern cities in a 
very few hours. The Road has recently built a branch line to 
Norfolk, thus increasing its terminal facilities. 

THE NEW YORK, PHILADELPHIA AND NORFOLK R. R. 

This railroad, as its name indicates, connects our sea-port 
with the two largest cities of the North, and, what is of infi- 
nitely greater importance, especially to the great " trucking " 
interests of this section, its route is so nearly direct that the 
whole distance between Portsmouth and New York is traversed 
in eleven hours, thus saving eight hours as compared with the 
next shortest route. Two powerful passenger steamers — the 
Cape Charles and the Old Point Comfort — which carry Pull- 
man Sleeping and Drawing Room Cars, connect at Portsmouth 
with the Seaboard & Roanoke Railroad, and run hence, via 
Norfolk and Old Point, to Cape Charles City, near the southern 
extremity of the Peninsula, where the terminus of the Road is 
situated — the whole distance by water being 36 miles. Thence 
the line is almost straight to Delmar — 95 miles. From Delmar 
to Philadelphia is 1 25 miles, and another 90 miles brings us to 
the Commercial Metropolis of the United States — New York. 
Passenger and freight cars go through between the extreme 
termini without transfer, thus affording the only land and water 
transportation of its kind: in the world. The scheme, when. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 2(25 

first proposed, was ridiculed as preposterous and titterly im- 
practicable, but its successful accomplishment has not only- 
vindicated the wisdom and crowned the ingenuity of its pro- 
moters, but has also proved of immense benefit to the whole 
territory adjacent to the Atlantic seaboard. It would, more- 
over, be difficult to calculate with any degree of accuracy the 
enormous advantages which this great enterprise is destined to 
confer upon the Eastern States in the future, for it is in contem- 
plation to extend the line to the southward, and we may expect, 
at an early date, to see Pullman Cars running direct by this 
route between New York and Jacksonville, Florida. The 
freight is transported on three large barges, each capable of 
carrying seventeen loaded cars, which, during the " truck " 
season leave this port daily about noon, and the fruits and 
vegetables of this district reach Philadelphia the same night 
and New York at 4 o'clock on the following morning — thus 
saving a clear day over all previous methods of transportation. 
This enormous advantage applies to all freight coming to 
Portsmouth over the Seaboard Air Line and Atlantic Coast 
Line systems, and those reaching the port coastwise or by the 
Internal Navigation Lines, from the shores of Chesapeake 
Bay and the Sounds of North Carolina. 

NORFOLK & WESTERN RAILROAD. 

A glance at the map will show that this important Road 
(formerly the Atlantic, Mississippi & Ohio) with its numerous 
and far-reaching connections, traverses the" States of Virginia, 
Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi, and is, at several 
points,' intersected by other trunk lines leading to all the larger. 



226 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

Western cities, and leaving scarcely a spot On this side of the 
Rocky Mountains beyond our reach. Immense quantities of 
freight come over this Road from the Northern cities and from 
Southern and Western points, for shipment from this port, 
which is also exactly the outlet required for the enormous 
traffic which the Norfolk and Western Railroad enjoys in 
steam-coal. To accommodate this large trade a magnificent 
pier has been built at Lambert's Point, at the entrance to the 
harbor, at which steam.ships seeking this port will naturally 
find it to their advantage to receive their supply of fuel. The 
coal territory of the South-west is being rapidly developed, 
and the output of this mineral is increasing daily. New mines 
will shortly be opened and this Road will then be taxed to its 
utmost to move the immense yield. 

NEWPORT'S NEWS & MISSISSIPPI VALLEY R. R. 

In addition to the great Railroads already described, 
which, with their wide-spreading connections have opened up 
to our trade the Southern, South-western and North-eastern 
States, there is still another gigantic railway system which has, 
within the last few years, established its Eastern terminus at 
Newport's News, within sight of Portsmouth, namely, the 
Newport's News & Mississippi Valley (formerly the Chesapeake 
& Ohio) Railroad, through whose connections our intercourse 
with the West and North-west have been materially facilitated. 
This Road traverses the richest coal and iron regions in the 
whole country and penetrates the fine grazing and agricultural 
lands of Kentucky, thus affording another avenue for the 
transportation ^of' the grain and produce of the Central and 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 227 

Western States to the Atlantic seaboard. Steamers run twice 
daily, each way, between Portsmouth and Newport's News, 
calling at Norfolk, which connect with the regular trains of 
this Road and afford our citizens the only opportunity of going 
to Richmond, spending several hours there, and returning 
home, all in the same day. 

NORFOLK AND OCEAN VIEW R. R. 

This line connects the City of Norfolk, our neighbor across 
the Elizabeth River, with the charming property of the Com- 
pany at Ocean View, which for the past seven years has afforded 
to the citizens of both cities a quick and inexpensive -means of 
escape from the heat and dust of the streets, during the summer 
months, to the pure and bracing breezes fresh from the bosom 
of the deep. The line is only nine miles long, and is traversed 
in half an hour. Trains run frequently during the day, and 
are usually well filled with pleasure-seekers, who are attracted 
by the excellent fishing, bathing and boating for which this 
popular resort is justly famous. 

OTHER RAILROADS. 
Besides the Roads specially referred to above are the Vir- 
ginia Beach Railroad, leading to Virginia Beach, eighteen 
miles distant, one of the most popular summer resorts on the 
coast, being famous for its unexcelled surf-bathing ; the West- 
ern Branch Railroad, which will soon be completed as far as 
Nansemond River ; and the Atlantic and Danville extension, 
which will connect Claremont, on the James River with this 
port, passing through some of the richest agricultural lands in 
Tide-water Virginia. 



228 SKETCH BOOK OP PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



SS 



CHARLES REID & SON 



!FOLK, VA., 

MANUFACTURERS OF THE CELEBRAhED BRANDS 

LEE-SIDE, FARMERS', CHALLENGE 

FARMERS' FAVORITE, 

And Importers of and Dealers in 

No. 1 Peruvian Guano, 10 and 6 Per Cent, 

And Agricultural Chemicals, Land Plaster, &c. 

Office, 14 Nivison Street, - - NORFOLK, VA. 

Factory, Money Point, - SOUTHERN BRANCH. 

Highest market prices paid for Staves. 



'S, 



Wholesale and Retail 



Tobacco, CigarSj Hay, Grain, I^i!! Feed, Motions, &c. 

West South St., Between Pine and Pearl, 
PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



DEALER IN 



TOBACCO, CIGARS, CIGARETTES, &C.' 

Fruits, Candies, Canned Goods, Fresh Meats. 

Butter and Dairy Produce a Specialty. 
501 High Street, Corner DinAiddie • - • POfiTSMOUTH, VA 



STEAMSHIP AND STEAMBOAT Llf^ES. 



THE BALTIMORE STEAM PACKET COMPANY. 

THIS Company, whose magnificent steamers, plying be- 
tween Portsmouth and Baltimore, are commonly known 
as the " Bay Line Boats, " has long been endeared to 
our citizens for the generous and noble aid it rendered, when, 
more than thirty years ago, Portsmouth was visited by the 
Yellow Fever, and its inhabitants were panic-stricken and 
well-nigh helpless. With travellers this line is regarded as one 
of the finest and best in the country, forming a portion of the 
popular route between the North and South. Its passenger 
steamers are the floating palaces of Chesapeake Bay, being 
new, adapted to a high rate of speed, beautiful in form, sub- 
stantial in construction and furnished sumptuously. They are 
run in connection with the Seaboard & Roanoke Railroad, 
and, under the presidency of CoJ. John M. Robinson, assisted 
by a corps of competent officers, the Company has proved 
itself of great service in advancing the best interests of the 
City and the Port generally. The steamers of the Bay Line 
make close connection here with the regular passenger trains 
of the Seaboard & Roanoke Railroad, for all points South and 
South-west, and at Baltimore with the Philadelphia, Wilming- 
ton & Baltimore Railroad for Philadelphia, New York and all 
Northern points ; with the Baltimore & Ohio, Northern Central 
and Pennsylvania Railfdads (bt the North and North-west ; 



230 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA, 

with the Allan, Continental, West India & Pacific and the 
Hopper & Johnson steamship lines for Liverpool; with the 
Continental for London and with the North German Lloyds 
for Bremen. 

THE OLD DOMINION STEAMSHIP COMPANY. 

In 1867, when the tumult of the terrible civil strife had 
hardly subsided, and Virginia lay crushed in spirit and bank- 
rupt in resources, the Old Dominion Steamship Company was 
established in succession to the old New York & Virginia 
Steamship Co., and has, since that date, gradually increased in 
wealth and favor until it has become one of the most substan- 
tial and iufluential corporations in the country. Its magnificent 
fleet of ocean steamers ply between New York and Richmond, 
calling at Portsmouth, Norfolk and City Point, while the fine 
steamboats of the Company are to be met with on all the prin- 
cipal rivers of Virginia and North Carolina. From Portsmouth 
the distance to New York is 285 miles, and the steamers of 
this line generally make the trip in twenty-four hours, with 
great regularity. The passenger accommodations of the Old 
Dominion Steamships are of the most luxurious character, and 
during the Company's career of nineteen years not a single life 
entrusted to its care has been lost. 

THE CLYDE LINES. 

The fine Steamships of this Company, (W. P. Clyde & 
Co.. of Philadelphia and New ;York,) make regular trips be- 
tween all the ports on the Atlantic seaboard of the United 
States, and the s^a-porta 6f Sduth America and the West 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 23I 

Indies, carrying an enormous quantity of freight and conduct- 
ing a profitable trade. Several of Clyde's propellers run 
regularly between Philadelphia and Richmond, calling at 
Portsmouth, Norfolk and Gity ■Point, and, in the cotton season, 
at West Point, on York River, Va. This line has exercised a 
powerful influence upon the development of commercial interests 
in this section. Captain James W. McCarrick is the General 
Southern Agent, with his office at Norfolk. In addition to the 
local fleet belonging to this Company, their service extends to 
the New England and other ports on the Atlantic seaboard as 
well as to the West Indies and South America, but with them 
we have no concern at present. 

THE ALBEMARLE & CHESAPEAKE CANAL. 
The Great Canal System of which this forms an important 
link in connection with the Chesapeake & Delaware and 
Delaware & Raritan Canals, provides direct and safe inland 
navigation for steamboats, sailing vessels, rafts, &c., from New 
York, Philadelphia and Baltimore to Virginia, North Carolina 
and the South, avoiding the dangers and delays attending the 
outside voyage and saving insurance. This system again con- 
nects with the Erie Canal at New York and small steamers or 
vessels towed by tug boats can thus pass from the sounds of 
North Carolina to Buffalo, N. Y., without unloading, and 
thence by the great Lake routes to Chicago and other West- 
ern and Northwestern points. 

THE DISMAL SWAMP CANAL AND STEAMIBRS, 

This great water-way, known as the Dismal Swamp Canal, 
was begun, ill 1787 tind.el" a joint, charter ff6m the Legislative 



232 SKETCH BOOK OF PORtSMOUtH, VA. 

Assemblies of Virginia and North Carolina and was not opened 
for navigation until 1828, more than forty years having been 
consumed in its construction. It connects the inland navigable 
waters of the two States, and has conferred incalculable benefit 
upon this whole section. It is now the property of a flourish- 
ing joint-stock Company, and, passing through one of the 
richest lumber regions in the world, has found its principal 
traffic in that essential commodity. The steamers belonging to 
the Company ply regularly through the Canal, and their 
cargoes are generally very large each way. They call at all 
the landings between this port and Elizabeth City, N. C, and 
are under the able and energetic management of Capt. Henry 
Roberts, who is also the Superintendent of the Canal. The 
Dismal Swamp Canal will admit sharp built vessels drawing 
five feet of water, and lighter built'vessels drawing four feet. 
The locks will admit 96 feet lengthy and i6? feet breadth of 

beam. 

OTHER TRANSPORTATION LINES. 

Besides the lines above named the fine steamers of the 
Merchants' and Miners' Transportation Company run regularly 
to Boston and Providence, while others run from those ports 
to Charleston, S. C, and Savannah, Ga., calling here when 
occasion requires. These steamers connect with the several 
railroads having thgir termini at this port, in addition to which 
they call at Newport's News and West Point (Va,) where they 
make connection with the systems of the Chesapeake & Ohio 
and the Richmond «& Danville Railroads, respectively. 

The Potomac Steamboat Co., and the Inland & Seaboard 
Coasting Co., run steaiiiers three titiifes a we^k between this 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 233 

port and Washington, D. C; the Virginia Steamboat Go's, 
steamers ply on the James River between Portsmouth and 
Richmond, the Capital City of Virginia; the Old Dominion 
Steamship Co. and the Nansemond River Line run steamboats 
between this port and Suffolk ; there is a steamboat making 
regular trips to Fredericksburg, while another Company con- 
ducts the steamboat trade between this port and the landings 
on several of the rivers of North Carolina. 

Two lines of Ocean Steamers have recently been estab- 
lished, one of which — the "Monarch" line — will ply between 
this port and Liverpool, in connection with the Virginia, Ten- 
nessee and Georgia Air Line, and the other — the " Ducal " 
line — between Newport's News, in our outer harbor, and Liv- 
erpool, in connection with the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad. 

Still other lines give us direct and regular communication- 
with Hampton, Old Point Comfort, Cherrystone, Mathews, 
Gloucester and Ware River. 



From the above showing, it will hardly be questioned that, 
for a City and Sea-port of its size, Portsmouth enjoys unsur- 
passed if not unrivalled advantages in the matter of transport- 
ation, both by land and by water, and that the excellent 
openings she offers to capitalists in search of safe and profitable 
investments must surely be recognized in the near future. 






OUH SEi^S^E ^ESO^TS, 



THE HYGEIA HOTEL— OLD POINT COMFORT. 

OWING to its beautiful situation at the entrance of Hamp- 
ton Roads from Chesapeake Bay, its proximity to 
Fortress Monroe, its lovely scenery and delightful surf- 
bathing — to say nothing of the magnificent proportions and 
luxurious equipments of the Hotel itself — the Hygeia has been 
for many years one of the most popular seaside resorts in the 
United States. It was built at a cost of $500,000, and offers 
accommodation to a thousand guests. It is not necessary to 
enter into a detailed description of its climatic and hygeinic 
advantages, its excellent system of drainage and water supply, 
its pavilions, halls, drawing-rooms and luxurious furniture, all 
of which may be summed up under the single word — " perfec- 
tion. " For over fifty years not a single case of intermittent, 
scarlet or typhoid fever, diphtheria or malarial disorder of any 
kind, has originated on the Point, while its popularity and 
high reputation have been increasing year by year, as the 
knowledged of its numerous attractions has become more ex- 
tended. 

OCEAN VIEW. 

This charming spot, which occupies the most southerly 
point of Chesapeake Bay, is situated almost opposite Old 
Point. Although of comparatively recent existence, Ocean 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE 235 

View has become an exceedingly popular resort, and picnic 
parties from the interior counties are of almost daily occurrence 
during the summer months. The surf-bathing is good and 
safe, the fishing excellent, and the Hotel accommodations all 
that could be desired. Many of our prominent citizens prefer 
a few weeks at Ocean View during the warmest weather to a 
more extended trip, and it seems destined to become one of the 
most fashionable and numerously patronized watering places 
on the Atlantic seaboard. 

VIRGINIA BEACH AND OTHER LOCAL ATTRACTIONS. 

Virginia Beach is situated directly upon the shore of the 
Ocean itself and its eastern horizon is the clear-cut water line 
of the broad Atlantic. This is the Paradise of strong swimmers, 
having a heavy but apparently safe surf. It lies in Princess 
Anne county, about 18 miles from Portsmouth, and is one of 
the principal of the many attractions in this neighborhood. 
Newport's News, at the mouth of James River is also a favorite 
resort of our people; while Hampton, with its Normal School, 
. Soldiers' Home and other interesting features, has always been 
a source of pride and delight to the sojourners within the 
Capes of Virginia. 






236 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



LOCAL BS^VENTiOS^S. 



Of the many valuable patents and inventions which claim 
Portsmouth as their birth-place, and have contributed their 
influence towards spreadino^ abroad her fame, those which have 
recently attracted the most notice are the various mechanical 
contrivances invented by Mr, Geo. W. Lewis, of this city, which 
are manufactured and sold by the Lewis SpriTng Manufactur- 
ing and Supply Company, of Portsmouth. They consist of 
the Lewis Locomotive, Tender and Car Springs, the Lewis 
Spike and Bolt Puller and the Lewis Rivet Cutter, and are all 
specially adapted to the several uses which their names indi- 
cate. Their conspicuous merits have brought them under the 
favorable notice of Railway Managers, Engineers and a Special 
Naval Commission, all of whom have awarded them the highest 
commendation. The Company make and guarantee them, 
and are prepared to deliver them for trial, to be paid for only 
on approval. Orders are now pouring in upon the Company 
with increasing and gratifying frequency, and it is safe to 
prophesy that these valuable inventions, when more widely 
known, will be recognized, appreciated and brought into uni- 
versal requisition. 




ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 237 



THE CITY GOVERNMENT. 



Mayor — ^J. Thompson Baird. 
City Clerk — E. Thompson, Jr. 
Treasurer — James M. Binford. 
Auditor — C. S. Sherwood. 
City Collector — R. A. Hutchins. 
Commissioner of the Revenue — Virginius Butt. 
City Attorney — A. S. Watts. 
City Szcrveyor — D. S. Walton. 
S7ipt. of Public School — ^John C. Ashton. 
Sergeant — E. W. Maupin. 
Dep2ity Sergeant — Chas. J. Withy. 
Chief of Police — F. T. Tynan. 
Assistant Chief of Police — A. H. Only. 
Chief Eyigineer Fire Department — W. T. Robinson. 
First Assistant Engineer — ^Jos. D. Knapp. 
Second Assistant Engineer — Cornelius Irwin. 
Street Inspector — ^Jno. W. Wood. 
Sanitary Inspector — F. P. Johnson. 
Clerk of Market — Edward N. Grant. 
Physicia7i to Almshouse — F. S. Hope. 
Keeper of Almshouse — F. L. Benson. 
Supt. of Orphan Asylum — J. C. Herbener. 
Keeper of Cemeteries — ^Jesse Brownley. 
Wood Measurer — Jos. F. Brownley. 
Grain Measurer — Wm. R. Peters. 



238 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

CITY COUNCIL. 

President — Legh R, Watts. 
Clerk — E. Thompson, Jr. 

First Ward Councibne^i — Legh R. Watts, H. C. Hud- 
gins, John Smith, C. L. Daughtrey. 

Second Ward Councilmen — David W. Ballentine, W. A. 
Smith, John H. Hume, Jas. H* Toomer, I. N. Anderton, Jno. 
C. Tee. 

Third Ward Councibnen — Samuel Fisher, John Judkins, 
Van R. Hewlett. 

Fourth Ward Councibnen — John T. King, George T. 
Townsend, W. J. Whaley, Jas. P. Knight. 



SCHOOL BOARD. 

Presidetit — O. V. Smith. 

Clerk — W-. C. Arrington. 

Superintendent — John C. Ashton. 

First Wa.rd — N. E. Whitehurst, Jno. W. Borum, David 

A. WilHams. 

Second Wo.rd — O. V. Smith. T. H. Virnelson, W. A. 

Culpepper. 

Third Ward — W. P. Ives, W. F. Higginbotham, Geo. 

M. Turner. 

Fourth Ward — Jno. E. Owiris, Wm. B. Thomas, I. C. 

Brinkley. 

Justices of the Peace. 

John W. Borum, Chas. R. Nash, Thos. J. Barlow, D. E. 
Williams, J. P. Anderson. 



its pkoplk and its trade. 239 

Police Commissioners. 
J. Thompson Baird, W. S. Langhorne, John S. Jenkins. 
H. E. Culpepper, Jr., John E. Owlns. 

Board of Health. 
President — B. H. Owens. 
A. B. Owens, C. R. Robertson, J. W. Daugherty, John E. 
West. 

the courts. 
The Circuit Court of the City of Portsmouth 
meets on March 5th and September 5th. 
Judge — Hon. George Blow, Jr. 
Clerk— C. T. Phillips. 
Commonwealth' s Attorney — R. C. Marshall. 



The Court of Hustings for the City of Portsmouth 
meets on the Thursday after the first Tuesday in each month. 
Judge — C. W. Murdaugh. 
Clerk— Z. T. Phillips. 
Co7nnionwealtK s Attorney — R. C. Marshall. 



COUNTY OFFICERS OF NORFOLK COUNTY. 

(COUNTY SEAT, THE CITY OF PORTSMOUTH.) 

Sheriff — John Lesner. 

Commis' er oj the Re'senue — ist District, John D. Moore. 

" —2nd " D. S. Sykes. 
County Treasurer — S. W. Lyons, 



BOARD OF SUPERVISORS. 
Tanyiefs Creek District — T. J. Nottingham. 
Washington District — E. M. Tilley. 



240 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

Western Branch District — S. B. Carney. 
Pleasant Grove District — John J. Warren. 
Butfs Road District — W. T. Wilson. 
Deep Creek District — Geo. H. Wilson. 



THE COURTS. 

The Circuit Court of Norfolk County (First Judicial 
Circuit) meets at the City of Portsmouth on March 15th and 
September 15th. 

Judge — Hon George Blow, Jr. 
Clerk— W. N. Portlock. 
Commonwealth' s Attorney — L. B. Allen. 

The County Court of Norfolk County meets at the 
City of Portsmouth on the third Monday in each month. 
Judge — Hon, G. D. Parker. 
C7<?r/^— Alvah H. Martin. 
CommonivealtK s Attoryiey — L. B. Allen. 



GOLDEN OPPORTUN9TIES. 

THE concluding chapters ofthis little volume will be devoted 
to a brief review of the various trades and industries 
conducted in and around the City of Portsmouth, and it 
is hoped that they will be read with attention by all those who. 
feel any interest in our commercial affairs. It is deemed ad- 
visable, however, to mention at this point some of those 
departments which are not represented here, but which may 
be undertaken by men possessed of comparatively small capital, 
with an almost certain prospect of success. Both sides of the. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 24I 

Southern Branch, immediately above the Government property 
-rthe Navy-Yard and Saint Helena — abound in magnificent 
sites, for industrial enterprises of.any kind. Already saw-mills, 
fertilizer factories and. other manufacturing" establishments are 
in healthy operation along the river's banks, and there is plenty 
of room for many more. The land is cheap, the distance from 
deep water inconsiderable, transportation to all parts of the 
country direct and inexpensive, fuel abundant, and the Board 
of Trade and the people generally would be willing to afford 
every reasonable facility and encouragement to those who may 
accept our cordial invitation to at least come and investigate 
the field for themselves. 

Among the branches of manufacturing enterprise which in 
Portsmouth are conspicuous by their absence, but which might 
be undertaken here with an unusual imrnunity from risk, are 
the following : The manufacture of Agricultural Implements, 
Glass, Cotton Seed Oil, Wood and Willow Ware ; Factories 
for Shoes and Tobacco ; Acid Works • Peanut-Cleaning and 
Fruit-Canning Establishments ; Cotton Mills ; Packing Houses 
and several others. The material for all these is almost on the 
spot already, and, in some cases, can be had for the mere 
trouble and expense of hauling. These facts, when taken in 
conjunction with our temperate climate and the excellence of 
our transportation facilities, which render this one of the most 
eligible distributing points in the whole country, are well 
worthy the serious consideration of every reader who is desirous 
of investing his money, or exercising his practical experience, 
to the most profitable advantage. 



242 



SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



PORTSMOUTH'S TRADES AND INDUSTRIES. 

COTTON. 

This Port owes her commercial reputation principally to 
this great staple, and, thanks to the great natural advantages 
of the locality, assisted by the prudence and enterprise of her 
business men, she has grown and prospered until she now holds 
the second rank on the list of the cotton-ports of the United 
States as to her receipts, and the third as to her direct exports 
to foreign markets. The following list of the total receipts at 
the Port during the last ten years will give some idea of the 
capital and labor required to handle it, when it is remembered 
that the average value per bale is about $50 : 



SEASON. 








BALES. 


VALUE. . 


Ending August 31st 


1877 . . . 509,612 


$25,480,600 




1878 






430,557 


21,527,850 




1879 






443,285 


22,164,250 




1880 






597,086 


29,854,300 




1881 
1882 






713,026 
622,883 


35,651,300 
31,144,150 




1883 






800,133 


40,006,650 




1884 
1885 
1886 






582,872 
545,418 
565,958 


. 29,143,600 
27,270,900 
28,297,900 



Total, 5,810,830 $290,541,500 

To this enormous aggregate Portsmouth has contributed 
nearly one-half, the Seaboard & Roanoke Railroad alone 
having brought 1,186,517 bales to its commodious warehouses 
for distribution and shipment during the last five years. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 243 

Of the total receipts at the Port the shipments were as 
follows: Coastwise, 3,254,858 bales; direct to foreign ports, 
2,555.972 bales. 

The above figures have been kindly furnished by Mr. 
Norman Bell, the Secretary of the Norfolk & Portsmouth 
Cotton Exchange. 

In this connection the following statement will be found of 
great interest. On the day preceding that upon which this 
article is written — November 20th, 1886 — the receipts of cotton 
at this Port were 7,826 bales, making a total of 237,555 bales 
since September ist — a?i excess of 2'j,g'j4 bales over last seaso7i's 
receipts for the same period; while the total receipts at all the 
ports of the United States since September ist amounted to 
only 2,149,698 bales, against 2,160,605 bales last year, being a 
deficit of 10,907 bales. These figures will at once prove the 
increasing popularity enjoyed by this port, and should com- 
mand the notice of all those who are interested in the cotton 
movement. 

BANKS. 

Portsmouth is under no necessity for any exceptional 
banking accommodations, for the reason that, as a general rule, 
our merchants own a sufiicient cash capital for the requirements 
of their business and are not compelled to borrow largely or 
lor any considerable period. Our transportation facilities are 
so favorable and our communication with the great manufactur- 
ing centres of the country so direct, that stocks can be 
replenished at a day's..notice and in quantities commensurate 
with immediate requirnments only. Hence a small capital can 



244 



SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



JOHN T. WHITE. 



J. H. FLEMING. 



PLANTERS, PACKERS AND SHIPPERS OF 










SHIPPED IN ANY QUANTITIES, 



To all parts of the United States and Canada. 



We own extensive Beds, and can therefore supply the 
Trade at all Seasons. 

Correspondence is solicited and all orders will receive 
prompt attention. 

WHITE & FLEMING, 

OFFICES AND PACKING HOUSES: 
PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



it^ PEOS'LE kUb ITS TRADE. 245 

be quickly turned over, and thus accomplish as much as a far 
larger one in less accessible districts. Our Banks have ample 
capital to meet all the requirements of legitimate business, and 
money can always be obtained at a fair rate of interest. They 
are both joint-stock companies and are owned and governed 
by our most substantial merchants and capitalists. 

OYSTERS. 

The planting, harvesting and shipment of these delicate 
and nutritious testacea have at all times been among the most 
important industries of Portsmouth. The inner and outer 
harbors, with the adjoining estuaries may fairly be described as 
a vast oyster-bed, the "crops " from which appear to be inex- 
haustible, as they keep pace, year after year, with the ever- 
increasing demand. Gourmets afe unanimous in their appre- 
ciation of the delicious oysters grown in our waters, and Lynn- 
haven Bay, at the mouth of the river, is known all over the 
land as the choicest fruit-garden of the ocean. Thousands of 
laborers find profitable employment in sowing, gathering and 
preparing for shipment this rich harvest, which realizes nearly 
a quarter of million of dollars annually. One of our packing 
houses alone plants some 30,000 bushels a year in Tanner's 
Creek, York River and Maryland, and ships about 150,000 
bushels to Northern and Western markets. Other houses have 
extensive planting-grounds in Scott's Creek, Western Branch 
and other convenient inlets along the shores of the harbor. 
Our largest shipments go to New York, INIaine and Massachu- 
setts, while smaller but increasing quantities are sent to the 
CaroUnas, Kentucky and other. Southern and Western States.- 



546 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

INSURANCE. 
So much has been said and written on this subject, that 
any lay writer may well feel diffident in approaching it. It will 
not be amiss, however, to call attention to the fact that the 
popular verdict is overwhelmingly in favor of Insurance in all 
its forms — Fire, Life, Marine and Accident, It is certain, also, 
that to the nervous person in moderate circumstances, regard- 
less of age, sex or occupation, there are few things 'capable of 
yielding such solid comfort as the possession of a sufficient 
policy in a first-class company. Indeed no prudent man will 
leave his property unprotected against the risk of fire, or his 
family unprovided for in the event of his death, when a trifling 
annual outlay in the form of a premium will absolutely indem- 
nify himself against pecuniary loss — possibly ruin — and them, 
after he is gone, against want. As in business matters gener- 
ally, so in the matter of insurance, the wise m.an will have no 
dealings with other than sound and respectable companies, and 
there are so many of this class represented in Portsmouth, each 
offering some special advantages, that the intending insurer is 
puzzled to make a selection, while he would be perfectl)^ — per- 
haps equally — safe with all. Besides the Portsmouth (Fire) 
Insurance Company, whose directors and stockholders are 
among the most prominent and responsible of our professional 
men and merchants, nearly every first-class Insurance Company 
doing business in the United States is represented in Ports- 
mouth by its resident Agent, and their aggregate assets amount 
to scores of millions of dollars. Risks and threatened evils of 
all kinds should be continually guarded against — as a matter of 
business and as a matter of principle — atid every uninsured 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADg. 247 

pervson, who estimates his property as worth protecting and his 
family as worth providing for, and who also duly appreciates 
the blessing- of a mind unburdened of needless care, will remedy 
the omission as speedily as possible by taking out policies, 
according to his means, on his life and worldly possessions. 

In this connection it may be well to repeat here that during 
the year ending June 30th, 1886, there were only eight alarms 
of fire in the City, and that the aggregate losses resulting from 
fire amounted to $159.75. 

EDUCATION. 

This niementous question, which is universally admitted 
to be one of paramount importance in every civilized and pro- 
gressive community, has been worn almost threadbare by the 
preachers and lecturers, commentators and statesmen of all gen- 
erations, and no attempt will be made here to advance any 
new ideas upon this mighty problem. It is gratifying, however, 
to know that our own people enjoy exceptional advantages in 
their efforts to secure this "pearl without price, " and that the 
system in force here is as perfect and efficacious as any that 
has yet been discovered. We have three magnificent buildings 
devoted to the nineteen separate schools under the control of 
the Public School Board of the City. Two of these buildings 
are for white, and one for colored children; they are all under 
excellent management and are numerously attended by the 
youth of all classes and both sexes. Besides these we have 
private schools and seminaries of the highest order, for boys 
and girls. Portsmouth is eminently adapted to educational 
in^titutidns, having a healthy cUmater*a refined society and- a 



248 SKETCH IBOOK OJF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

perfect system of rapid and cheap communication, by land or 
water, with all parts of the country. 

BOOKS, STATIONERY, PIANOS, &C. " 

The quality and quantity of reading matter in circulation 
among the people of any community will be found to be a very 
fair test ot their intellectual capacity and refinement. Where 
there are well-patronized book stores, carrying large and well- 
selected assortments of standard literature, there will also most 
certainly be found a large proportion of cultivated readers. 
And this may justly be claimed for Portsmouth, where this 
branch of trade is in the hands of men whose own high educa- 
tion and mental culture em.inently qualify them to cater to the 
intellectual requirements of their constituents. In addition to 
books and stationery, our book-stores are supplied with all 
those numerous other commodities usually kept by first-class 
establishments of the kind, including choice paintings, engrav- 
ings, photographs, and a host of other articles Avhich may be 
grouped under the generic term "Fancy." Combined with 
the book and stationery business is also that of Pianos, Organs 
and Music, an««l our dealers represent the most famous factories 
in the country, and always keep on hand a large selection of 
first-class instruments. 

REAL ESTATE. 

The City of Portsmouth and its vicinity abound in cheap and 
attractive homes which offer i,",pecial inducements and advant- 
ages to all classes of immigrants — native and foreign — not to be, 
surpassed in any other section of the country. It is a great 
raih'oad, steainsliip and canal terminus, affording easy, rapid 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 249 

and direct transportation to and from all domestic and foreign 
markets. The climate is unequalled in its suitability to the 
cultivation of every variety of cereals, fruits and vegetables 
usually grown in any of the States, North or South. The facili- 
ties for procuring necessaries, and even luxuries, of all kinds 
are so abundant, and lumber for all purposes so cheap and 
plentiful, that the discomforts and privations common to most 
localities are almost unknown here. Our Winters are short and 
mild, while our Summer heat is tempered with almost contiuu- 
ous sea breezes. Farmers are enabled to work on their land 
nearl)^ every week in the year, so that the ground is ready for 
planting at the earliest season, thus giving them an unusual 
advantage over their comipetitors at the North and North West. 

As a place of residence, moreover, alike for the man of in- 
dependent means and for the invalid seeking a healthy and 
temperate locality, the City itself enjoys and oilers exceptional 
advantages, which are of course enhanced by its proximity to 
the Ocean. With an equable and salubrious climate, an excel- 
lent railroad service ; steamboat lines giving almost daily 
connection with New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, 
Washington, Richmond and the Southern sea-ports ; a market 
abounding in fish and game, in addition to the ordinary supplies 
in great variety ; with a perfect system of public education and 
a highly cultivated resident society, there is indeed little left to 
be desired, by those whose wants do not soar above health and 
happiness, peace and plenty. 

It will not surprise the reader to learn that a perceptible . 
current of immigration has set in this direction, and that real 
estate, in town and country, is consequently advancing in price. 



250 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

It is Still cheap, however,, and offers a golden opportunity even 
to speculators. 

Our Real Estate and Rental Agents are men of long prac- 
tical experience, and will take pleasure at all times in affording 
the fullest information to all who may be pleased to seek it, 
either personally or by correspondence. 

PEANUTS. 

The Eastern Counties of Virginia have, during the past 
fifteen years, developed a large trade in this product, and 
placed this State above all the others in the Union, in regard 
to its cultivation. In the season of 1873-4 Virginia produced 
only 225,000 bushels, while in 1885-6, her yield amounted to 
1,500,000 bushels. The light sandy soil of the Tide-water dis- 
tricts seems to suit the crop exactly, and the peanuts grown in 
Virginia command a higher price than those grown in any 
other State. Over half a million bushels were received in 
Portsmouth during the last year, of which 408,000 bushels 
arrived by the Seaboard & Roanoke Railroad. This crop is 
handled here chiefly by our Commission Merchants, who 
advance money upon it to the farmers while it is still growing, 
and send it, when received, to the various " factories " or clean- 
ing establishments throughout the country, where the peas are 
classified and again distributed among the wholesale and retail 
dealers. The peanut is of African origin, and was introduced 
to this country by some trading vessel — probably a " slaver." 
The African nut, however, is of inferior quality as an article of 
food, although it is extremely valuable ar a commercial com- 
modity, for it produces a large proportion of the so-called 
" olive oil " of French manufacture. 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 25I 

FERTILIZERS. 
During the past few years the demand for fertilizers has 
been far in excess of the supply of natural guamo and manure, 
and has led to its manufacture on a very large scale. In the 
newly and sparsely settled Territories of the West, where the 
land has been under cultivation for a comparatively short period, 
the need of an artificial stimulus to the soil has as yet been little 
felt, but in the East it has become indispensable. Especially is 
this the case in Eastern Virginia, the Carolinas and other States 
where the "trucking" business is extensively carried on, and 
where cotton, peanuts, grain and tobacco are the staple crops. 
The richest soil can only supply a certain limited amount of 
nutrition to the vegetation it sustains, and when that nutrition 
has been exhausted by overcropping it must be restored, either 
by the slow process of natural recuperation or else by such arti- 
ficial means as science may suggest and experience approve. 
The latter alternative obviously commends itself to the practical 
planter and farmer, and the result is that artificial fertilizers are 
now in almost universal use among agriculturalists in the Eastern 
States. " Shell lime " is manufactured here in large quantities, 
and is a valuable though inexpensive aid in restoring to the im- 
poverished soil its original elements of plant-food. Special 
crops, however, are found to need special treatment, and various 
brands of fertilizers and guano mixtures have been formulated 
to meet the peculiar requirements of each. The Southern 
Branch of Elizabeth River, which flows past our doors, is noted 
for the number of its Fertilizer Factories and for the excellence 
of their products, which are now shipped in increasing quanti- 
ties to all parts of the country. 



252 ^ SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

LUMBER, STAVES AND SHINGLES. 
The extremely favorable geographical situation of Ports- 
mouth, to which the attention of the reader has been so often 
directed, has given great prominence to this department of 
commerce ever since the establishment of the earliest settle- 
ments on the Elizabeth River. Even in the " Olden Times, " 
and long before the application of steam-power to mechanical 
purposes, or the invention of machinery — as the word is now 
understood — Portsmouth was famous all over the seaboard 
States, and at many foreign ports besides, as a depot and 
manufacturing point for these im'portant products. The name 
" Lumber " was used generically in those days, and comprised 
saw-logs, sawed and split timber, staves, shingles, laths, &c.^ 
articles which it is becoming customary to classify separately, 
applying the original and comprehensive term to the issue of 
the saw-miironly. Our close proximity to the noble white- 
oa.k and pine forests, for which the eastern counties of Virginia 
and North Carolina have always been famous ; and our unsur- 
passed facilities not only for transporting saw-logs through the 
canals and rivers having their estuaries on the Elizabeth and 
its branches, to be converted here into the lumber of commerce 
at the saw -mills with which the neighborhood abounds, but 
also- for bringing the manufactured article by rail from distant 
points for shipment from our wharves, have combined in giving 
paramount importance to the Lumber Trade of this port. The 
white-oak timber of this section is highly esteemed for use in 
ship-building, while the pine forests, in addition to the millions 
of feet of lumber which they annually contribute to our trade, 
also iurnish excellent masts and spars which are always in 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 253 

demand at home and abroad. Our Stave Trade is conducted 
chiefly with the West Indies and the Mediterranean where 
barrels and casks for sugar, molasses, rum and wine are manu- 
factured in great numbers. Immense quantities of shingles are 
also manufactured and handled here and shipped to all parts 
of the country. As a natural consequence of these favorable 
conditions, a glance round the shores of our noble harbor 
reveals numerous lumber yards, saw-mills, plaining- mills, box- 
factories and other kindred establishments, all of which show 
evidence of enjoying a brish trade, 

"TRUCKING." 

This term is synonymous with "market-gardening, "and 
the business is carried on in this neighborhood on a scale so 
gigantic that our ■ unexcelled transportation accommodations 
of all kinds have been taxed to their utmost capacity, of late 
years, to handle the enormous products of the truck-farms 
which abound in our back country. Indeed the whole region 
round about us is little else, during the spring months, than a 
vast garden in which are raised the early vegetables and fruits, 
for their supply of which the Northern and Western markets 
depend upon our farmers almost exclusively and are willing to 
pay high prices. From early in the. Spring till late in the Fall 
a constant succession of crops gives employment to a large force 
of field hands, and the quantity of garden and orchard produce 
raised in this vicinity and shipped from this port is enormous, 
almost beyond credence. The natural fertility pf the soil, 
maintained and enhanced by skillful treatment, together with 
the surpassing mildness and moisture of the climate, enables 



254 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

many of our "truckers" to produce two — and occasionally- 
even three — successive crops from the same land during one 
season ; and it is a very general practice among our farmers to 
reap a good crop of corn in the Fall from the field which in 
the Spring has yielded a rich harvest of early vegetables. 
Extensive areas are also devoted to the cultivation of straw- 
berries and grapes which ripen here scA^eral weeks earlier than 
in the Northern States, where they are therefore in great 
demand. The manufacture of wine has of late years estab- 
lished itself as one of the recognized industries of this section, 
and, as a consequence , large tracts of land, especially through 
the country traversed by the component railroads of the 
Seaboard Air Line, have been converted into vineyards. So 
rich and prolific is the virgin soil of our back country that it 
can be worked at the minimum of expense, and immigrants of 
the agricultural classes can invest their money and their labor 
in this immediate district to better advantage than in any other 
section of the United States. 

ICE. 
Haifa century ago this now almost indispensable article 
of daily consumption had not come into general use, being 
regarded not only as a superfluous luxury but also as a sub- 
stance whose wholesome properties were still looked upon with 
considerable suspicion. But in 1832 an establishment was 
opened by two enterprising and far-seeing gentlemen — Dr. E. 
M. Watts and Captain Samuel Watts — for the storage and sale 
of "native" ice, and their annual sales were at first limited to 
25 or 30 tons. A small frame building was sufficient to accom- 
modate their trade, but when this was burnt down in 1855, it 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 



255 



was replaced by a substantial brick structure with a capacity of 
500 tons. Northern Ice had by this time supplanted the native 
article, and this was the first house in the Sister Cities to handle 
the product of the northern lakes and streams. From this 
small beginning an important branch of commerce has been 
developed, and two commodious warehouses, having an aggre- 




n. 



RESIDENCE OF MR. SAM'L W. HODGES. 

gate storage capacity of over 4,000 tons, are now employed 
in the trade. Both establishments are in experienced and reli- 
able hands, and their business is no longer confined to the 
City, but is widely distributed through the towns and villages 
of Eastern Virginia^and the " Old North State, " wherever the 
railroads penetrate. When Northern Ice was first introduced 
here vessels of only 150 to 200 tons were quite large enough 



256 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



W. J. DAVIS, 



Livery and Boarding Stables 




Hacks and Carriages 
For Weddings and Funerals Furnished at Stiort Notice 

Contracts taken at low rates for Hauling in any part of the city. 

510 IVIiDDLE STREET, 

Portsmoutli, Va, 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 257 



to supply the demand, but these soon became inadequate to 
the growing trade, which now requires vessels of 1000 tons 
burden, and upwards. 

LIVERY STABLES, &c. 

The comfort of the resident population of any city, as well 
as of its transient visitors, depends very much upon the number 
and style of the carriages, buggies and saddle-horses kept for 
hire at the various livery stables. In this respect Portsmouth 
is very fortunate, having several establishments of this kind, 
some of which are well supplied with all necessary conveniences 
in the line of their particular trade. Allied with the livery 
business is that of the exchange and sale of horses and mules, a 
large number of which are annually disposed of in this market. 
Our carriage and wagon factories and harness dealers supply 
the requirements of the citizens and farmers of the surrounding 
country, taking care always to furnish the best quality of goods 
at the most reasonable prices. 

SHIP-YARDS AND MARINE RAILWAYS. 

Among the prime necessities of a prosperous sea-port are 
such establishments as the above, and it will not be denied by 
those familiar with our resources that Portsmouth and its 
immediate vicinity are amply provided in this respect for any 
conceivable emergency short of a great foreign invasion involv- 
ing extraordinary naval activity. On the Berkley side of the 
River, opposite the City, are several well equipped Ship-yards 
and Marine Railways which are always kept busy enough to 
employ a large number of skilled mechanics — iron-workers, 
ship-carpenters, caulkers, and the like — and can accommodate 



258 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

GEO. R. ATKINSON, JR. 

General Insurance Agent 

Office, 207 High Street, 

Next Door to the Bank of Portsmouth, 

PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



The following First-Class Companies are represented : 
THE QUEEN INSURANCE COMPANY, of England. 
VIRGINIA STATE INSURANCE CO., of Richmond. 
PETERSBURG SAVINGS AND INS. CO., of Petersburg. 
HOME INSURANCE COMPANY, of New York. 
GEORGIA HOME INSURANCE COMPANY, of Columbus 
GERMANIA FIRE INSURANCE CO., of New York. 
EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY, of the 

United States. 

ASSETS REPRESENTED OVER $100,000,000. 

THE EQUITABLE does a larger Life Insurance business 
than any Company in the United States. 

Its surplus is larger than that of any other Company. 

It issues every form of Policy at the most reasonable rates, 
guaranteeing the most lavorable results. 

The prompt payment of claims is one of the leading fea- 
tures of all of the above Companies. 



its PEOPLE AND its tRADE. 259 

Steamers and sailing vessels of any size, requiring repairs. We 
have good cause for pride and gratification at the progress 
made in these branches of industry during the past few years, 
and the recent establishment of two regular lines of steamers 
between this port and Liverpool will doubtless give a new 
impetus to the enterprise of our shipwrights. The clang of 
the mallet and the rattle of the chains, as some renovated vessel 
returns to her " native element, " fall like sweet music, by night 
and day during the busy cotton season, upon the ears of our 
citizens, as a pledge of present vitality and a promise of future 
prosperity. 

BUILDERS AND BUILDING MATERIALS. 
The number, style and beauty of the churches, public 
buildings and private residences of modern architecture and 
recent erection which a stroll through the principal thorough- 
fares of Portsmouth will reveal to the observant visitor, furnishes 
ample testimony to the skill, good taste and workmanlike 
ability of our local contractors, as well as to the excellence of 
the material always available for building purposes — including 
bricks, lime, cement, window and door sashes, laths, cornices, 
mouldings, brackets, Sec, all of which are manufactured in the 
City or suburbs, besides ceiling, flooring and dressed lumber 
of all kinds. Improvements of a public character, such as 
grading and paving the streets, are progressing in every direc- 
tion under the energetic policy of our present City Council, 
and it is very gratifying to observe that private enterprise is 
also actively at work in removing the crumbling relics of a 
by-gone generation to make room for handsome stores and 
dwellings of a more modern, convenient and substantial type. 



SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 261 



FURNITURE. 

This trade has lately assumed a much greater importance 
in Portsmouth than it formerly enjoyed, owing to the fact that the 
people of the City and of the tributary back-country have at 
last satisfied themselves that it is to their own advantage to 
make their purchases here rather than at other and more 
distant markets. Our furniture ware-rooms now contain large 
and varied assortments of stock, and every taste and every 
pocket can be suited, at factory prices, whether the articles be 
required for parlor, dining-room, bed-chamber, office or school. 
The dealers can afford to sell at reasonable prices, for the reason 
that they buy direct from the manufactories and obtain the 
most favorable terms. Eastern Virginia and North Carolina 
especially find this a most advantageous market at which to 
select their purchases, and each year brings increased business 
to our dealers. Here, as elsewhere, there dwell those by 
whom excellence is generally measured by the distance whence 
it is imported, but experience has taught the great majority of 
purchasers that it is more economical, as well as infinitely more 
satisfactory, to deal with merchants whom they know personally 
and meet every day — reliable and responsible business men 
who ai'e always accessible when, through some accident or 
unsuspected flaw, a guarantee may have to be made good. 

DRY GOODS, NOTIONS AND CARPETS. 

What pen, especially if it be of the masculine persuasion, 
shall attempt to depict the wonders of that "Woman's Para- 
dise, " a first class Dry Goods Store, a mere catalogue of whose 
ordinary stock would fill many a close-writ page! Let not 



262 SKieTcM: ieooK of Portsmouth, vl. 

OCEAN VIEW RAILROAD & HOTEL CO.' 

The Seaside Summer Resort of Virginia, 
Trains Run at Short Intervals Daily between Norfolk & Ocean View, 

This delightful and unsurpassed Summer Resort will be open 
for the accommodation of Guests 

©PI ^AY 1st ©F each year. 

The location is the most desirable on the Middle Atlantic Seaboard, being in full view 
of Capes Charles and Henry and the Rip-Raps, with unequalled surf bathing and fishing 
within a stone's throw of the door. The fresh, invigorating breezes render the days de- 
lightfully temperate, while the nights are cool and enjoyable. 

The CUISINE includes every luxury of the season, while Guests receive every atten- 
tion and are provided with every possible comfort. 

The Buildings have recently been enlarged and otherwise improved. As a Summer 
Resort it offers unexcelled advantages. 

For further information, apply by telegraph or mail to 

Norfolk § Ocean View Railroad § Hotel Co. 

OCEAi^ VIEW, VA. 

GRADUATE OF THE ART SCHOOLS OF NEW YORK AND CHICAGO, 

HAS OPENED A STUDIO AT 
Room 14 Lowenberg Building, Norfolk, Va., 

to which the public are invited, to view a col- 
lection of her Paintings and Studies. Instruction 
-^ will be friven in 




DRAWING AND PAINTING-. 



ITS PEOPLE A^JU ifS tilADE. 263 

the reader's heart be troubled, however, for the attempt will 
not be made here. Suffice it to say that Portsmouth contains 
several handsome and well-filled establishments devoted to 
that particular branch of trade which embraces the commodities 
above enumerated. Our principal Dry-Goods and Notions 
Stores are situated on High street, an engraving ol which is 
shown on page 15. They all carry heavy and carefully selected 
stocks, which in most cases also embrace full lines of carpets — 
of all descriptions and the products of all lands — as well as 
mats, rugs, druggets, oil cloths and other kindred wares. 
Their goods are guaranteed not to exceed Northern prices and 
their assortments are as complete and varied as are to be met 
with in other Southern cities, 

FUEL, 
The favorable position occupied by Portsmouth renders 
her an important depot and distributing point for the various 
products — vegetable and mineral — embraced by the above 
heading. She is within easy reach, by land and water, ot the 
Dismal Swamp, with its imm.ense area of timber, and also of. 
the great pine, oak, gum and poplar forests of Eastern Virginia 
and North Carolina, thus rendering fire-wood both plentiful 
and cheap. Direct railroad communication with the famous 
coal-fields of Western Virginia and the adjoining States insures 
to us an abundant and cheap supply of soft or bituminous coal, 
while the mines of Pennsylvania and Maryland furnish us with 
the excellent hard or anthracite coal for which they are cele- 
brated. Some of our Coal and Wood Dealers also handle hay , oats 
and mill-feed, besides other commodities. These trades, sepa- 
rate and combined, are in the hands of experienced, enterprising 



264 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

and reliable firms with plenty of capital to conduct and expand 
their business according to the opportunities legitimately 
offered, 

BAKING AND CONFECTIONERY, 

The wholesale and manufacturing Confectioners of Ports- 
mouth have at all times done their full share towards building 
up and maintaining the City's trade with the outer world ; and 
it is gratifying to know that their efforts have been duly appre- 
ciated and revv^arded by an increasing number of orders for 
their delicious products, which include candies, cakes, crackers 
and other articles calculated to tempt and delight the appetite. 
Our Confectioners are also large dealers in native fruits of all 
kinds — fresh, dried and crystalized — as well as in imported 
fruits and sweetmeats. Affiliated with this trade is the whole- 
sale and retail dealing in toys of all descriptions, fire -works and 
other conm:iodities v/hich might be classified as Children's Holi- 
day Goods. At certain seasons— Christmas, for example — the 
business done by these establishments is very heavy, and their 
employees are kept bus}?- night and day, filling orders for city 
customers and dispatching cases of goods to the villages and 
hamlets for miles and scores of miles around, 

GROCERIES. 

There is no department of commercial enterprise con- 
ducted in this or any other City which affects so many 
individual interests, and consequently attracts such universal 
attention, as that now under review. It engages a large amount 
of capital and numbers every member of the community 
among its customers. In Portsmouth this trade maybe qubted 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 265 

as holding a most satisfactory position, being almost entirely in 
the hands of prudent experienced merchants, of sufficient 
financial strength to enable them to keep on hand extensive and 
varied stocks of goods, and to supply the retail dealers of the 
adjoining counties of this State and North Carolina with almost 
every commodity usually found in country stores. With all 
the sources of supply within such easy reach, fresh goods are 
always obtainable as soon as the need of them arises, thus giv- 
ing to the consumers a great advantage, which our people duly 
appreciate. It may safely be stated that in no city in the 
United States can be found a more sound, solvent and success- 
ful body of business men than the Portsmouth grocers, in pro- 
portion to the population and the amount of capital involved. 
DRUGS AND CHEMICALS. 
Of the Portsmouth Drug Stores, some have built up a 
fair wholesale trade with the outlying counties along the lines 
of our railroads. The stocks kept by these establishments are 
large and varied, and include Paints, Oils, Perfumery, Spices, 
Patent Medicines, Fancy and Toilet Articles and numerous 
other goods not strictly akin to pharmacy, such a^ Tobacco, 
Cigars, Cigarettes, &c. Several of our Stores are also furnished 
with handsome Soda Fountains which in the Summer season 
are liberally patronized by the citizens and the travelling public. 
As a class, our druggists have earned a wide and honorable 
reputation through the excellence of the goods they supply, 
and the care and skill with which they compound prescriptions. 
Our principal wholesale drug trade is with Eastern Virginia, 
the Carolinas and Georgia, while most of the Southern States 
have been made more or less familiar with Portsmouth's enter- 



266 SKETCH fiOOK Of POfi-TSMOUf H, VA. 

prise in this line, especially in regard to certain " specialties " 
and "specifics" which they put up. 

HARDWARE, STOVES AND MACHINE SUPPLIES.j 

In every business centre, especially if it be an important 
sea-port, the trade in the numerous indispensable articles 
comprised by the above caption must necessarily hold 
prominent rank. In Portsmouth it is conducted b}' practical 
and energetic men who recognize the influence it wields not 
only upon the City itself but also upon the wide surrounding 
territory, with its various mechanical industries and general 
requirements. This port is naturally the central point of large 
railroad, steamboat, milling and other manufacturing interests, 
and controls an immense business in the department now under 
consideration. Mill and machinists' supplies of all descriptions 
are furnished from this point to the innumerable mills and 
factories in the neighborhood, as well as those of the adjoining 
States ; while in the matter of Stoves, Ranges, Cutlery, Tin- 
ware, and the heavier commodities known as Railroad and 
Steamboat Supplies, our dealers have long since established 
themselves so firmly in the public confidence throughout this 
whole section that rivalry or competition from other points have 
gradually lost their terrors and are no longer regarded as very 
formidable. 

MISCELLANEOUS TRADES. 

In the preceding pages special attention has been directed, 
under distinctive headings, to each of the principal branches 
of trade which engage the mercantile classes of Portsmouth, 
and it must be admitted that not only does the summary make 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 267 



a most creditable showing, but also that, with the many con- 
spicuous advantages enjoyed by the community, the future is 
rich in promises of continually increasing prosperity — promises 
which will certainly be redeemed, provided the people remain 
taithful to themselves and to their traditiows. But in addition 
to the more prominent subjects already reviewed there are 
others, too numerous for separate classification and yet too 
productive of good, in their combined influence upon the City's 
welfare, to justify their being passed by without mention. The 
windows and show cases of our Jewelers, China and Glass-ware 
Stores, Boot and Shoe Dealers, Milliners, Variety Stores, Gun 
and Locksmiths, and dealers in Hats and Caps, present a 
most attractive display of the various articles pertaining" to 
their respective branches of trade ; the markets are always well 
supplied with Butchers' Meat, Fish, Fruits, Vegetables and 
other articles of daily consumption, and in such quantities as 
to insure the consumer against high prices. Cigars of every 
quality -are manufactured here and shipped hence to far 
countries, as are also wines and.liquors. Mechanical establish- 
ments, including Printing Offices, Blacksmiths' Shops, Iron 
Works, Barbers' Shops, &c., are liberally and deservedly 
patronized not only by their city customers but also by their 
friends in the surrounding counties. The professional men, 
too, Lawyers, Doctors, Dentists and Architects — present an 
array of talent which any community might well be proud of, 
and exercise in a conspicuous degree, that influence for good 
which their superior attainments place at their command. In 
short for a city of its size and population there cannot be found 
one anywhere in which the people are more alive to their own 



268 



SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 



highest interests, and in which the necessaries, comforts and 
luxuries of Hfe, in all conceivable forms, are more easily obtain- 
able than they are in Portsmouth, and no other city offers greater 
inducements to honest capital and honest labor. 
TABULATED STATISTICS. 
The following table has been carefully prepared and is 
based upon the best available information. It does not pre- 
tend to be absolutely accurate, but a critical investigation will 
prove that the figures given below very closely approximate the 
simple facts, and may therefore be relied upon as a safe guide 
to Portsmouth's local commerce : 



Article or Nature of Trade. 



Bakeries 

Books, Stationery and Pianos 

Boots and Shoes 

Bricks 

Butchers' Meat 

Carriages, Wagons and Harness... 

China, Glass, &c 

Cigars, Tobacco, &c 

Coal 

Confectionery , 

Cotton 

Doors, Sashes and Blinds 

Drugs, Chemicals, &c 

Dry Goods and Notions 

Furnishing Goods and Hosiery 

Fertilizers, Guano, &c 

Fresh Fish, (exclusive of oysters) 

Furniture and Carpets 

Groceries 

Guns and Sporting Goods 

Hardware and Machine Supplies... 

Hats and Caps 

Hay, Grain and Feed 

Ice 

Jewelry, Watches, &c 

Lime and Cement 

Livery Stables 

Forward 



^713,000 



Capital 


Average 


Invested. 


Annual Sales. 


$ 20,000 


$ 30,000 


20.000 


t 50,000 


33,000 


e; 70,000 


10,000 


r 40,000 


20,000 


225,000 


8,000 


12,000 


7,500 


20.000 


10,000 


60,000 


40,0. 


• 75,000 


8,000 


40,000 


100,000 


175,000 


10,000 


30,000 


22,500 


70,000 


75,000 


250,000 


60,000 


150,000 


40,000 


50,000 


2,500 


25,000 


35,000 


150,000 


100.00) 


1,250,000 


3,500 


7,000 


25,000 


75,000 


10,000 


25,000 ■ 


10,000 


40,000 


20,000 


35,000 


10,000 


20,000 


6,000 


10,000 


7,000 


10,000 



^2,994,000 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 



269 



Forward 

Lumber — rough 

Lumber — dressed 

Market Hucksters 

Millinery, &c 

Miscellaneous 

Oysters 

Peanuts 

Printing — exclusive of newspapers 

Staves and Shingles 

Stoves and Tinware 

Varieties 

Wines and Liquors 

Wood for Fuel 



Total, 




Several important branches of business, such as Banking, 
Insurance, Real Estate, Trucking, &c., are omitted from the 
above table for reasons Avhich will be obvious to the reader. 
It will be noticed that in several instances the sales are much 
larger in proportion to the capital invested than tabulated sta- 
tistics of such matters usually show. This is accounted for by 
the fact that Portsmouth's railroad and shipping facilities are so 
numerous and excellent that our experienced merchants, who 
understand the needs of the community, are not required to 
carry heavy stocks, as they can always replenish in a few hours. 

CONCLUSION. 

With a few synoptical remarks, the narrative of Ports- 
mouth's rise, progress and present condition may now be 
brought to a close. The sketch, as here prese'nted to the 
reader, is but an outline-drawing afthe best, and is frankly 
admitted to be totally devoid of hterary merit. It is hoped, 
however, that it will be read with interest, not only by the 
dwellers upon the banks of our broad and beautiful Elizabeth' 
River, but also by those distant friends and correspondents 
into whose hands it may fall; for its primary object is to inform 



270 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

the outside world as to Portsmouth's great natural and acquired 
advantages — its fertile soil and salubrious climate, magnificent 
harbor and fine location — which, in times past, have made their 
influences felt in the commercial, industrial and social develop- 
ment of the City, and which promise to raise her in the future 
to an exalted position among the great sea-ports of the 
country. 

The panorama, of which this is the concluding scene, has 
traced the growth of Portsmouth from the distant period — 
exactly three centuries ago — when Ralph Lane discovered a 
group of Indian wigwams nestling among the pine trees that 
fringed the harbor, and named the river after England's Virgin 
Queen, down to the time when the slowly increasing volume of 
immigration caused the establishment of a ferry for the accom- 
modation of the hardy and adventurous pioneers ; thence, down 
the avenue of time, to the later period when the Settlement 
had become a Village and the Village had grown into a Town ; 
and thence again, by the same road, always widening, and 
marked along its whole length by ever-multiplying population 
and ever-increasing prosperity, past numerous milestones — 
some stained with the blood and smoke of battle, it is true, but 
all bearing testimony to the real worth of her sons and daughters 
— until the last one is reached, and Portsmouth in 1886 — a 
flourishing, solvent and healthy City, if measured by its aggre- 
gate wealth and trade in proportion to its population — is 
revealed. 

In spite of many drawbacks, including the desolation 
wrought by four years of civil war, Portsmouth has doubled its 
population since 1 850. It has now — besides its public build- 



ITS PEOPLE AND ITS TRADE. 27I 



ings, hotels, Masonic and Odd Fellows' Halls, and numerous 
other structures devoted to public or semi-pnblic purposes — no 
less than fourteen churches, or nearly one church to every 
thousand inhabitants; namely, one Roman Catholic, two 
Protestant Episcopal, two Presbyterian, four Methodist and 
five Baptist, 

The Portsmouth Board of Trade and Exchange, although 
comparatively young, has already done much good and faithful 
service to the commercial interests of the City. Its officers are 
among the most intelligent and aggressive of our merchants, 
and the organization promises to become an active and influen- 
tial factor in Portsmouth's mercantile affairs. Its membership 
is large and comprises most of the prominent firms and business 
houses in the City. 

The members of our Common Council have always been 
selected from among those who are especially distinguished for 
their enterprising and progressive qualities ; hence it happens 
that their policy is encouraging and liberal towards all kinds of 
legitimate industries, and strong inducements are held out to 
invite the investment here of foreign capital. 

Our suburbs are growing up rapidly, and the Southern 
Branch, upon which the City is situated, is rich in unexcelled 
sites, with deep water close at hand, for the erection and profit- 
able operation of industrial establishments. Many of these 
have been taken up and so utilized within the past few years, 
and many more will doubtless follow ere long. 

The surrounding country is rich and highly cultivated, as 
the enormous yields of " trucks " and later crops amply demon- 
strate. Beyond this, the land is well timbered and well watered. 



272 SKETCH BOOK OF PORTSMOUTH, VA. 

and offers unlimited possibilities to the practical farmer, no 
matter where his experience has been acquired. 

But the catalogue of Portsmouth's attractions might be 
extended to almost any length, and even then the half might 
well remain untold. It is hoped, however, that those already- 
enumerated will prove sufficient to excite the interest and 
curiosity of the reader who has had no opportunity as yet of 
visiting our magnificent harbor or coming into personal contact 
with its happy and hospitable inhabitants. Should such a result 
be attained, this narrative will not have been written in vain ; 
nor can it be more appropriately closed than with the repeated 
assurance that a hearty, old-fashioned Virginia welcome- awaits 
all those who may be prompted to investigate its accuracy in 
person. 




CONTENTS 



GENERAL SUBJECTS. 



Page 
Activity in Ship-Building. .... 145 

Agricultural H 

Albemarle & Chesapeake Canal 231 

Atlantic Coast Line 221 

Bacon's Rebellion 63 

Baking and Confectionery. . . . 264 

Ballad, A (by Tom Moore) 123 

Baltimore Steam Packet Co.. . . 229 

Banks 243 

Battle of Great Bridge, The... 103 

" Benn's Church " 75 

Board of Health, The. ....... 239 

Books, Stationery, Pianos, Etc. 248 
Builders and Building Material 259 

City Council, The 238 

City Courts, The 239 

City Government, The 237 

Clyde Lines, The 230 

Coaling Sta'n at Lambert'sPoint 207 
Colony Finally Established,The 55 

Colored Brethren, Our 213 

Commandants from 1851 to i86i 149 

Commandants since 1876 155 

Conclusion 269 

Confederate Monument, The.. 195 

Cotton 242 

County Courts, The 240 

County Officers, The 239 

County Supervisors, The 239 



Page 

Descriptive "^ 

Dismal Swamp Canal, The. . . . 231 

Dividing Line, The "7 

Division of Virginia into Shires 71 

Drugs and Chemicals ~'65 

Dry Dock, The 143 

Dry Goods, Notions and Carpets 261 
Duel of the Iron-Clads, The.. . 187 

Dunmore's Revenge 109 

Early Days 23 

Earthquake, The Recent 20,7 

Education 247 

Elizabeth River Discovered. ... 31 
End of the Rival Giants, The. 193 

Fertilizers 251 

Financial 18 

First Commandant Appointed, 141 
First Governor Appointed. ... 47 
First Line-of-Battle Ship Built 

at Gosport 145 

First Virginia Navy, The 131 

Fuel 263 

Furniture 261 

Geographical 9 

General Results of the War. . . 165 

Golden Opportunities 240 

Gosport Navy -Yard 127 

Groceries 264 

Hardware, Stoves &c.,. 266 



274 



CONTENTS. 



Page 

Historical 23 

Hustings Court, The 91 

Hygeia Hotel, The 234 

Ice 254 

Improvements at the Yard. . . . 147 
Incidents of the Revolution. . . 101 

Insurance 246 

Introductory 5 

Invasion by Sir George Collier 111 

Justices of the Peace 238 

Lake Drummond 119 

" Lake of the Dismal Swamp " . 133 
Leslie, Arnold and Cornwallis. 117 

Livery Stables, &c 257 

Local Inventions 236 

Lumber, Staves and Shingles. . 252 

Marine Guard Sent to Yard 139 

Massacres of 1622 and 1644. . . 57 
Mayors of Portsmouth, The. ... 87 

Meteorological Freaks 203 

" Merrimac " and " Monitor" . . 181 
Merrimac's First Engagement. 185 
Military Value of Navy-Yard.. 127 

Miscellaneous Trades 266 

Municipal 79 

Navy-Yard Destroyed by the 

Federals 169 

Navy-Yard Evacuated by the 

Confederates 151 

Navy- Yard Lent to the Gov't. . 135 
Navy- Yard Purch'd by the U. S. 139 
Newport's News & M. V. R. R. 226 
New York, Philadelphia and 

Norfolk Railroad 224 

Norfolk and Ocean View R. R, 227 

Norfolk and Western R. R 225 

Norfolk Southern R. R 223 

Ocean View 234 

Old Dominion S. S. Co., The. . 230 



Page 

Origin of the Navy-Yard 129 

Other Railroads 227 

Other Transportation Limes. . . . 232 

Oysters 245 

Parish of Portsmouth, The 93 

Peanuts 250 

Pocahontas Steam-Coal 207 

Police Commissioners, The. . . . 239 

Preface 3 

Prefatory 23 

Railroad Facilities, Our 219 

Real Estate 248 

" Saint Helena," Purchase of. . 147 

Sale of Gosport 131 

Sanitary 14 

School Board, The 238 

School for Midshipmen 143 

Seaboard Air Line, The 230 

Seaboard & Roanoke R. R., The 219 

Sea-side Resorts, Our 334 

Ship-yards and Marine Railways 357 
Soldiers' Home at Hampton... 199 
Steamship and Steamboat Lines 239 
Sub-division of Lower Norfolk 

County 75 

Tabulated Statistics 368 

" The August Storm " 305 

" The Big Freeze " 203 

Trades and Industries 342 

" Trucking " 253 

Various 21 

Virginia Beach 235 

War Between the States, The . 165 
Warrosquyoake Divided into 

Counties 7g 

War with France, The 135 

War with Great Britain, The. . 117 
Yard Restored to Order, The. . 151 
Yellow Fever in 1855, The I55 



CONTENTS 



275 



ILLUSTRATIONS 



Page 

African M. E. Church 157 

Andei-ton, I. N.'s Store ^'^f 

Arcade Printing House 133 

Armstrong, G. & Son's Saw Mill 34 

Bank of Portsmouth 24 

Bay Line Steamer "Florida". 20 

" Benn's Church " 77 

Bii-d's-Eye View-Looking N. . 37 
Bird's-Eye View-Looking S. . 93 
Brent, Wm. J.'s Residence. . . . 153 
Chart of the Southern Branch . . 222 
Chestnut Street Public School. 178 
Court House and Clerk's Office 9 
Court-Street Baptist Church. . . 97 
Court-St. Presbyterian Church. 113 
Culpepper,H.E.'s Dredg'g Fleet 146 
Duel Between the Iron-Clads. 187 
Freeman, Lloyd, Mason & Dry- 
den's Fertilizer Factory. . . . 360 
Freight Warehouses of S. & R. 

R. R. Co 17 

Frey Bros.' Box Factory,Berkley 141 

Godwin, L. C.'s Planing Mill. 134 

Green-Street Public School. ... 61 

High Street — Looking East... 15 

Hodges, Sam'l W.'s Residence. 255 

Hume, John H.'s Residence. . . 27 

Hume, R, G.& Bro.'s Book-Store 66 

Hygeia Hotel, Old Point 167 

Kaufman, J. C.'s Dry Goods 

Store 103 

King, T.T.& Bro.'s GroceryStore 70 

Lake kilby 85 

Lambert's Point Coal Pier. . . . 210 

Mahoney, J. & E.'s Warehouse 129 

Map of Portsmouth ^nd vicinity 13 

Maupin's Hall 81 

Maupin, Wm. G.'s Residence. . 53 

Merrimac's First Achievement 181 

Milligan.-John A.'s Residence. 73 



Page 
Monumental (M. E.) Church. . 65 
Monument " "To Our Confeder- 
ate Dead" 194 

Mclntyre Bros. & Seelinger's 

Furniture Store 186 

National Home for D. V. S. at 

Hampton 198 

Naval Hospital 19 

Naval Hospital- — Residence of 

Medical Director 101 

Navy- Yard, General View of. . 127 
Navy- Yard, Residence of Com- 
mandant 41 

Neely, R. J. & Co.'s Warehouse 54 
Norfolk Storage Co.'s Factory. 190 

Ocean House 74 

O. D, S. S. Co.'s Steamship 

" Roanoke " 17 

Owens, B. H.'s Dry Goods Store 58 

Owens, B. H.'s Residence 89 

Portsmouth — General View of 4 
Portsmouth Ins. Co.'s Building 30 

Post Office and City Hall 45 

St. John's (P. E.; Church 149 

St. Paul's (R. C.) Church 49 

S. & R. R. R. Station, Suffolk. 178 
Soldiers' Home, Gov.'s Resid'ce 202 

Suffolk Military Academy 106 

Surf-Bathing at Virginia Beach 177 
Thomas, Joha L.'s Ship-Yard. . 43 
"Trenton" and " Dolphin," The 101 

Trinity (P. E.) Church 33 

Watts, Judge Legh R.'s ReSid'e 137 
Weaver, J. F.'s Store and Resid. 46 
White, Capt. E. V.'s Resi'^ence 161 
Whitehurst, J. & G.'s Grocery 

Store 90 

Wilkins, H. B.'s Coal and Wood 

Yard. 94 

Zion Baptist Church 217 



276 



CONTENTS 



Albemarle &Chesapeake Canal 

Company ^6 

Alexander & Powell 88 

American Cyclopaedia 124 

Anderson, James Q 130 

Anderton, IN 174 

Appleton, D & Co 124 

Arcade Printing House 142 

Armstrong, G & Son 34 

Ashton, John C 98 

Atkinson, Geo R, Jr, Agent. . . 258 

Atlantic Coast Line 76 

Baltimore Steam Packet Co. ... 20 

Bank of Portsmouth 24 

Barlow, T J 104 

Berrv&Son 204 

Bourdett, Mrs E 104 

Brambleton Floral Company. . 122 

Brandt, Adolph 64 

Brent, W J 132 

Browne.F G 228 

Browne, J S, Master Trans'n. . 16 
Brown, J W, Gen. Tkt. Agent. 16 

Brown's Bazaar 166 

Buff, August 152 

Burk & Co 210 

Burrow, John W, Gen'l Agent. 114 

Butt & Neville 72 

Bntt, V, Secretary 154 

Carson, J R 188 

Cassell cS: Cassell 180 

Castner & Co, Limited 78 

Chesapeake & Dcla. Canal Co. 96 

Clarke, J F 200 

Clark, F W, G F & P Agent. . 52 
Clyde, W P & Co, Gen. Mang's 50 

Clyde's Steam Lines 50 

Codd, W H & Bro 176 

Cooke, R B, G P & F Ageftt. . . 216 
Crawford, J S 196 



Page 

Crocker, James F 48 

Cramp & Anderson '^^ 

Culpeper & Turner, Agents. . . 38 

Culpepper, H E, Contractor, &c 146 

Culpepper, H E, Grocer, &c. . 188 

Culpepper, Mrs Sadie J 140 

Daugherty, John \V, Af^ent. . . . 158 

Dauijhtrey, C L 188 

Daughtrey, M F 148 

Davis, Wm J 256 

Dismal Swamp Canal 208 

Dunham & Cocke 184 

Durr, F 170 

Edwards & Happer 48 

Ellenor & Brinkley 120 

Emerson, T M, Gen. Pass. Agt 76 
" Enterprise," The Portsmouth 

Daily 192 

Etheredge & Brooks 28 

Evans, Burwell & Tazewell. . 130. 

Fentress, W A 162 

Fiske, Wm A 100 

Freeman, Lloyd, Mason & Dry- 
den 260 

Frey Bros 110 

Friedlin, A C 182' 

Gambrill, C A, M'f'g Co, The 164 

Gaskins & Sturtevant 138 

Glover, H W B, Agent 52 

Godwin, L C 134 

Godwin, W B & Co 166 

Grice, A P, Treasurer 154 

Griffin, John T, President. ... 44 

Griffin, K R 48 

Haas, Sol, Traffic Manager. ... 76 

Hatton, E Alex, Cashier 24 

High School for Young Ladies 72 

Hodgdon & Spencer Co, The.. 156 

Hodges, Samuel W 160 

Howe, George W& Co 180 



CONTENTS 



277 



Page j 

Howell, B F y^l 

Hudgins, H C, G F & P Agent 40 

Hughes, WH 158 

Hume & Bro, Agents l-'^S 

Hume, R G & Bro 66 

Hygeia Hotel 167 

Hyselop, L K 176 

Jenkins, Mrs Alice H, Principal 72 

Johnson, Wm B 170 

Judson, Mrs S C •• 262 

Kaufman, John C. 102 

King, Joseph, Principal 106 

King, J T & Bro 70 

King, M K, General Manager. . 40 

Krieger, G A 184 

Krieger, G A, General Agent... 114 

Lamb, Wm&Co 78 

Lamb, Wm & Co, Agents 78 

Langhornc & Bilisoly, 116 

Larkin, PH 170 

Lash, Elder L 180 

Lewis STDringM'f'g& Supply Co 154 

Lippincott, J B Co, Pubs, 168 

Mahoney, J & E 129 

Manning, S C 56 

Manning, S S 114 

Marshall. RC 48 

Marshall, R C, President. . . 26,154 

Martin & McWilkie 84 

Massingham. John 184 

Maupin, J F, Agent 16 

Maupin, Wm G 128 

Merchants' and Farmers' Bank 44 

Merriam, G & C & Co, Pubs.. . 82 

Minter & Ballance 136 

" Molcnc " 144 

Moore, A W 120 

Mules, R T 120 

Mulholland, C & L 188 

Murdaugh &■ Mayo 204 

Myers & Daougherty , 180 

Myers, LT, Supt Trans 16 



Page 

McCarrick, Jas W, Genl So Agt 50 

Mclntyre Bros & Seelingcr. . . I06 

Nash, ChasR 60 

Nash, F P 152 

Naw, V J 1^6 

Neely, R J >V Co 54 

Newton & Woodley, Props 74 

New York, Phila & Norfolk R R l26 

Niemeycr vt Co 64 

Norfolk & Ocean View R R. . . 262 

Norfolk & Western R R 78 

Norfolk Southern R R 40 

Norfolk Storage Company. . . . l90 

Nottingham & Wrenn 206 

Nottingham, Wrenn & Styron. 206 

" Observer," Portsmouth 214 

Ocean House, The 74 

Ocean V.ew R R & Hotel Co. . 262 

O'Connor, T 80 

Old Dominion Steamship Co. . 38 

Owens, B H . . 58 

Owens, Edwin W 140 

Owens, J T& A B 64 

Owins, John E 68 

Pace, J F 166 

Parker, J T & Bro 136 

Parker, W & J 162 

Patapsco Flouring Mills. ..... 164 

Pedrick.CW 68 

Peed, V T 152 

Percy, H C, Treasurer 123 

Peters & Reed 144 

Phillips & Nash 92 

Phillips, John J 152 

Porter, John W H & Co, Pubs 192 

Portsmouth Gas Company. ... 26, 
Portsmouth Grammar nnd High 

School • 150 

Portsmouth Insurance Company 30 

Portsmouth Iron Works 196 

Portsmouth Primary School. ... 56 

Potter, J D 68 



278 



CONTExMTS. 



Page 

turdie, George W & Co 142 

"Portsmouth Daily Enterprise" l^S 
"Portsmouth Daily Times," The 314 

"Portsmouth Observer" ^14 

Rauschert, Edward. 116 

Reed, James W 118 

Raid, Charles & Son 228 

Reynolds, Benj, Superintendent 122 

Riddick & Richardson 204 

Rider, Geo N, Agent . l24 

Roberts, Henry, Superintendent 208 

Robertson, Charles R l82 

Robertson, John B. . , I66 

Rustic & Brooks l40 

R-utter, John W 238 

Schmoele, Dr VVm, Jr 200 

Scott & Flemming l72 

Seaboard Air Line 52 

Seaboard & Roaonke Railroad 16 

Shannon, H A 122 

Sherwood, C S 62 

Smith, J... 118 

Smith, O V, Gen'l Claim Agent 16 

Smith, O V, President 30 

Staples & Manning, Principals 56 

Staples, R G 158 

Staples, V S 56 

Stewart, Wm H 84 

Stokes, Miss E J, Ass't Prin. . . 150 

Stokes, W H, Principal 150 

Suffolk Military Academy 106 

Sullivan, D 122 

Tee & Brittingham 178 

Thomas, -John L , 42 

Thomas, L W, Agent 20 

" Tidewater Times " 214 

"Times," The Portsmouth Daily 214 
Toomer, James H, Cashier. ... 44 
Trant & BrO 86 



Trant, Trugien & Hill 36 

Turner, AM. 116 

Tuthill, Charles L 196 

University of Virginia 172 

Valentine's Mea.t Juice Works 212 
Venable, C S, Chair'n of Fac'y 172 

Va. Fire & Afarinc Ins, Co 158 

Walters, H, Gen'l yJ/anagcr. . . 76 

Washington Life Ins, Co 126 

Watson & Riddick. 108 

Watson & Riddick, Agent 126 

Watts & Hatton 84 

Watts, AS 84 

Watts. Legh R. President 24 

Watts, WmH , 176 

Weaver, Joseph F 46 

Weaver, Samuel W 184 

Webster's Dictionary 82 

West, John E 148 

White & Fleming 244 

White, H S 162 

WhUe, NE 178 

White, W N 86 

Whitehead, H C, Sec'y& Treas 208 
Whitehead, John B, President 208 

Whitehurst, J & G 90 

Wilcox, J H, Ed & Proprietor 214 

Wilkins, HB 94 

Williams & Emmerson 88 

W^illiams, Arthur R 182 

fFilliams, David E 104 

^Filliams, J Herbert 130 

Williams, WV H, Gen'l Ticket 

Agent 30 

^Filliams, W V H, Secretary. . 30 

fToodward, Claud 148 

fFbrcester's Dictionaries 168 

Young, E 33 



CONTENTS. 



279: 



ANNOUNCEMENTS-CLASSIFIED 



Page 
Ap'hiiltKral Implements 

Riddick & Richardson 204 

A:^:-lcnltural Shell Lime 

Niemeyer & (.^o 6^1 

Nottingham,' Wreen & Styrnn. 2U6 

Arekik'cts 

Cassell & Cassell 180 

Ariists 

Judson, Mrs S K. 26'; 

A ttorne\ 's-at-Law 

Cro ,ker, •' ames F 4S 

Ed . nrds & i.i.pper.. 4S 

Gnffin, K R 4S 

MaiBhall, RC 48 

Mru-tin & McWilkie ;• 84 

Stewart, Will H.. 84 

Watts & alloii 84 

Watts, AS 84 

Auetioneers 

young, EO. . 32 

jyanks 

Bank of Portsmouth 24 

Merciiants* & Farmers' Bank.. 44 

Barbers 

Tuthill, Charles L -. . 196 

Bicycles 

White WN 86 

Billiards and I'ool 

Carson, JR........ 188 

Ocea'.; i ouse 74 

Books and Stationoy 

Crump & Anderson 72 

liume, R G & Hio. 66 

Staples, L\. G. . 158 



Bookbinding and Ruling 

Fiske, Wm A 

Purdie, George W & Co. . . i . • 

Boots and Shoes 

Brandt, Adolph 

Kowell, B F 

Larkin,P \ 

Peed, Y T 

Box Factories 

.\rmstrong, G & Son 

Frey Bros • 

Bread, Crackers, Cakes, &^c 

Anderson, .'as Q , . . , 

Godwin, W B&Co .'.. . 

Mules, R T 

Naw, V J 

Bricks — Dealers in 

^^urdaugh & Mayo 

\iemever & Co 

Neely.'R.l & Co 

Bricks — Rlanufacturers of . 

Mui-tlaugh & Mayo ,. . . . 

Building Lands 
Sclimoele, Dr Wm, Jr. . . .,. . . ; 
Binlding Materials 

Godwin, L C 

N'eely, R J & Co ■ 

Niemeyer & Co 

Trant & Bro 

Builders and Cantmcto^-s 

Brent, W J 

Hodges, Samuel W . 

Tee & Brittingh^m 

West, John E 

White,' H S ;. 

William.s, J IJerljert 



Page 

100^ 
142 



64 

l,o3'- 



34 
110 

tao;' 

l66' 
1'20 
lyGi 

204' . 
64 

2041 

2<)p; 

134 
64 



133 
160-" 
178 
1.48 

lbs 

130 



28o 



CONTENTS 



' Page 

Butter and Dairy Produce 

Barlow, T J 104 

Browne, F G 228 

Daugherty, John VV, Agent 158 

Ellenor & bnnkley 120 

Godwin, VV B & Co 166 

King, John T & Bro 70 

Lasn, Elder L 180 

Minter & Ballance 136 

Owens, J T& A B 64 

Parker, J T & Bro 136 

Canal Companies 

A1hpm;^rle & Chesapeake 96 

Chesap jake & Delaware., 90 

Dismal Swamp 205 

Carpentei-s' and Plumbers" Material 
Bult & Neville 72 

Carpenters and Builders 
See Builders and Contractors 
Carpets, Oil Clot/is, ofc 

Crawford, -i S 196 

lloweH, BF 88 

Kaufman, John C 102 

Mclntyre Bros & Seelinger 186 

Owens, B i ■ 58 

Phillips & Nash 92 

Cairiage Builders 

Sullivan, D...... 122 

Cement, Lime and Plaster 

Etheredge & Brooks 2:' 

Nie mey er & Co 64 

Trant, Trugien & Hill. 'i>^' 

Neely, R j''& Co.". . :.. 54 

Chemicals, dfc 

See Drugs &c. . i . ; 

Chiiia, &fc 
See Glassware, Ciockery, &c.. . 



Page 
Cigars — Manufacturers and Jobbers of 

Carson, J R , 188 

Dunham & Cocke 184 

Owms, „ohn E. 68 

CigakTS, Tobacco, dr'c — Dealers in 
See Tobacco, Cigars, ifcc. , . . . . 
Civil Engineers 

Pelter, J D 68 

Cloaks, crV 

O'Connor, T 80 

Owens, B H 58 

Phillips & Nash 92 

Clocks, Watches, Six 

See Watches, Clocks, &c 

Clothing — Ready Made 

Burk& Co 210 

Cloths, Cassimeres, Etc 

Ashton, John C 98 

K-aufman, John C 103 

Owens, BH 58 

Coal 

Etheredge * Brooks 28 

Neely, R ,) & Co 54 

Niemeyer & Co 64 

Parker, W & J 163 

Trant, Trugien & Hiil 36 

Whitehurst, ■' & G 90 

Wilkins, H B 94 

Collecting Agents 

Rustic & Brtoks , 140 

Qommissiflti Merchants — General 

F.llenor & Brinkley J20 

rlthcredge tt Brooks 28 

Niemeyer V Co 64 

Peters v^k Reed 144 

Coi/i'/ri r ^ron hJcrcJiauts — Shippi ■■■' ■ 
peters <i, i'venjd .44 



CONTENtS 



2^1 



Page 

Coini/iis.uoji Mi-irlLcints, Lttmbci\ ^c 

Notln.'inni .^ W rcnn 206 

Peters ><: keed 144 

Reed. \\m^ W 112 

Trant & ;',m 3Ci 

Confectioneries, Candies, &-V 

Anrlerswn, Jns Q ISO 

Browne, F c; 22ti 

Fentross, \V A 162 

Go i win, \V B & o 16G 

Mules, R T 120 

Mulhullano, C & 1 18^ 

Naw, V l;j». 

■VVniu-'iuirst, .1 & U , UO 

Contmctors and Builders 
5.r ISuiMers ami (Jontraci'irs. . 

Cotton Factors 

Ethert^dge &' Brooks 28 

Crate Factories 
See Box P'actorids 

Ciitleiy, dfc 

Rid iicl< i'^- Richardson 204 

Hughes,^ H l.">^ 

Wiiiti:, N E 176 

Cyclop xdia <t 

Apploton's "Amevicaa" 124 

Dentists 
Dauglitrey, M F 14S 

Dictionaries 

Webster's Unabridged 82 

"Webster's School 168 | 

Dictio:mn> Pti/>lis/iers \ 

Lippincott, The B Company. 168 

Merriani. G & U & L'o S^J 

Doors, Sashes and Blinds , 

Go(\vvin. LO; 134 

Necly, R J & Co 54 | 



I Page 

I Dredging 

Culpepper, H ]<', 14G 

Dress Goods 

O'Connwr, T 80 

( )\v.3u«i, B H 38 

Dry Goods 

Brown's Bnzaar 160 

Ho.vcll, B F 88 

Kuifman, .(ohn C 103 

©'Connor, T 80 

Owens, B II o8 

Phillips & Nash. 93 

St^^.ples, R G 158 

White, N ]•: 17G 

Drugs, &-'c 

Buft", Angust 1,~)3 

Durr, F 170 

Howe, Geo W, & Co. .., 180 

Hysclop, L K 1 76 

Ivrieger, G A 184 

Langhorne & Bilisoly 116 

Owens, Edwin W 140 

Pcdrick, C W '. 68 

Weaver, Jos F 45 

Weavei", Samuel W 184 

Wood%*ard, Claud 14S 

Fggs and Pouliiy 

See Poultry and Eggs 

Engineers' Supplies 

Butt & Neville , 72 

Engines, RTacIdneiy, t^-c 

Clarke, J F igQ 

Farming Implements 

Riddick & Richardson 204 

Fertilizers — Dealers in 

Etheredge & Brooks 28 

Nienieyer & Co. ..« ......... . (Ji 



2§2 



CONtENtS 



Page 
FeiHr..-. rs — Manufacitirers of 

Freeman, Lloyd, Mason & Dry- 
den 260 

Hodgdon & Spencer Cu, The. . 156 
Nottingham, Wrenn & Styron 206 
Reid, Charles & Son 228 

Flour and Grain 

Ellenor & Brinkley 120 

Evans, Burvvell & Tazewell... 130 

King, John T & Bro 70 

Lash, Elder L 180 

Rutter, John W 22S 

Fhuring Afills 

See Mills — Flouring 

Flowers and Plants 

Brambleton Floral Co, The. . . 122 

Freight Broker 

Reed, James W 1 12 

Fruits, Vegetables, dr'c 

Browne, F G 228 

Godwin, W B & Co 160 

Minter & Ballance 186 

Moore, AW 120 

Owens, J T & A B 64 

Whitehurst, J & G 90 

Furniture, Ss'c 

Crawford. J S lOf 

Howell, B F 88 

Mclntyre Bros & Seelinger. ... 186 

Scott & Flamming 172 

Gas Companies 

Portsmouth Gas Company 26 

, Glassware. Crockery, ^c 

Howell, BF..; 88 

Hut!:!cs,WH. 158 

'Staples, R- G. ..;... 158 

i^hite urst, ] &• G.;: /. ^. U i^<. ' 9(3 



Grain and Mill-Feed 
Evans, Burwell& Tazewell.;.,. . 130 

Niemeyer & Co > ■ 64 

Rutter, John W -•. . 228 

Trant, trugien & Hill. . . . . v.. . . 36 

Groceries — Wholesale. ' ■ 

King, John T & Bro 70 

Parker, W & J 163 

Groceries, cr'c 

Anderton, I N 174 

Barlow, T J 104 

Browne, F G 22? 

Codd, W H & Bro 176. 

Culpepper, H E. ...... . . . 188 

Daugherty, John W, Agent. .'. . 158 

Daughtrey, C L. ] 88, 

Ellenor & Brinkley 120 

Friedlin, AC 183 

King, John T & Bro 70 

Lash, Elder L.^ 180 

Minter& Ballance. 136 

Owens, J T& A B..,. 64 

Pace, JF 166 

Parker, J T & Bro 136 

Rutter, lohn VV 228 

Whitehurst, J & G 1 90 

Gua?7o, &^c 

Etheredge & Brooks. ..... 28 

Freeman, Lloyd, Mason & Dry- 
den 260 

Hodgdon & Spencer Co, The. . 15i/ 

Niemeyer & Co ■. 6,4 

Nottingham, Wren & Styron . . 206 

Reid, Charles & Son. . .... 2)1^ 

Gun and Locksmilh 
White, W .N.... ...,.;... .... -gg' 

Hams, Bacon ^ <sr!c 
Ra.r1ow.T J.. :...::... .:.:... 104- 
Ellenor & F.i'n'-!-y. ...W ... . .■. 'igo 
King, John- T & Bri^V. v. '.•.-:;...■ J :^•.^|fo 



CONTENTS 



28/ 



Page 
//a/r-/)/vss/)in; S/iax'iiiij, &'c 

Tuthill. ChnrlesL. - .• . . 196 

I lams, Bacoii, &'r 

rSarlow, T J.. 104 

EJlcnor .<;: Dri kley. 120 

King, . John T ifc Bro... 70 

Ilari/wdiv, ^'c 

Butt & Neville. 72 

Riddick & Rich ;inl son 204 

Hard-ioood, l.,>-^s aiu! 'I'lmbcr 

Reed, James W. . . 112 

Haniess iVo^-x: 

Sulliv.in, D 122 

Hats, Caps, ■^i- 

Nash, F P 152 

//ay, ^T-v 

Ktheredge & Brooks 28 

Evans, Burwell & Ta/.ewell. . . 130 

Niemeyer & Co 6^ 

Rutter, Tolm W : 228 

Trant, tiugien & Mill. 36 

//osiery and Undirwcar 

Brown's Bazaar 1 66 

Kaufman, John C 102 

Owens, B II 58 

Phillips & Nash 92 

Staples, R G 158 

//otch 

Ocean House The. ,. 74 

//oiisc-Fti I 'Kis //. i/'jf Goods 

Alexander & Powell 88 

Hughes, W H T5S 

Massinghan), j'>;ij.v. »:. ........ .'■. 184 

Maupln, Wm G . . ...••. . . ]2S 

Hhkhi Clurlcs K::i.'.^ .;.;;.■;;. 60 

•f:;- . , . . 'ff '■ ■■'.!'i-- ■. > v: 



Page 

/nsiirance Companies 
P rtsmouth (Fire) Insurancti Co 30' 

Va. Fire & Marine In-s. Co 15c 

Washington Life Ins. Company 13C; 
/nsiti-ancc Agriits ■ 

Atkinson, Gc rgc R, Jr. 25i 

Hume, R (i & \'>\o lui' 

Portsmouth Insurance C )mi)an\ 80 

Watson & Ridrli. k ]0' i2C 

Willi. IS, W V II 30 ■ 

/ran Ji'or/cs 

Clarke,] F ICC 

Jciwliy, Sikxricaiv, crv 

Raiisc! ert, Ef'.ward I ]( 

Sherwoo i, C S , 02 

/aths and Posts 

Armstrong, G & Son 34 

Neely, R .' •& Co 54; 

Tram, Trugien & HiK 36 

Lard^A/anufactiirers of 

King, John T & Bro 70 

/J vie 
See Cement, Lime and Plnstcr. 
/Aqnors and Wiucs 

See Wines and Liquors 

Lively Stables 
Davis, W J 256 

■ Lumhei — Commission Jl/erehants, 
See L-ommission Mer'ts— Lumber 

■ ■ Lumber — /^cahrs in 

Armstrong, G & Si: n . . .■ 34 

Neely, RJ & Co... 54 

Nottingham & Wrenn. . ;06. 

Peters & Reed 1 44 

Reed, James W I Hi 

f fan t • & Bro. .• -. : ■ 3t " ' 

\'^: ■ ■ ■■■■^■y ''■■ '-■■>' A^^""'- 



284 



CONTENTS 



Page 
Lumber — Manufacturers of 

Armstrong, G & Son 34 

Machinery — General 

Clarke, J F 196 

Lewis Spring M'f g & Supply Co 154 
"Marine Railways 

Thomas, -lohn L 42 

'M.eat Extracts 

Valentine's Meat Juice Works 212 

'bleats — Fresh and Cured 

Berry & Son 204 

Browne, F G 228 

Minter & Ballance 136 

Phillips, John J 152 

Robertson, Charles R 182 

Robertbon, John B 166 

Whitehurst,J& G 90 

yicchanical Patents 

Lewis Spring M'f g & Supply Co 154 

Mfw'j Furnishing Goods 

Ashton, John C 98 

Brown's Bazaar I66 

Owens, B H 58 

Staples, RG 158 

Metab 

Butt & Neville 72 

Riddick & Richardson 204 

Millinciy 

Bourdett, Mrs E 104 

Mills — Flouring 

Gambrill, C A, M'f'g Co, The,. 164 

'Mills, Saw and Planing 

Armstrong, G & Son , 34 

Godwin, L C 134 

Mouldings, Bracket's, dfc 

Godwin, L C ..., Ig4 

Neely, R J &Co.... 54 



'Mtiiic and 'Musical Instruments 

Crump & Anderson 72 

Hume, RG&Bro 66 

White WN 86 

Naval Stores 

Parker, J T & Bro 136 

Nexvs Dealers 

Fentress, W A 162 

Neivs Papers 

"Portsmouth Daily Enterprise" 192 

"Portsmouth Daily Times". . . . 214 

"Portsmouth Observer" , 214 

"Tidewater Times" 214 

Notions, Qfc 

Bourdett, Mrs E 104 

Brown's Bazaar 166 

Howell, B F 88 

O'Connor, T 80 

Owens, BH 58 

Phillips & Nash 92 

Rutter, John W 228 

Staples, R G 158 

Whitehurst, .1 & G. . . 90 

White, N E 176 

Oilcloths, Mattings, b'c 

Sfi? Carpets, Etc 

Opticians 

Sherwood. C S 62 

Organs and Pianos 

S<?f Pianos and Organs 

Oysters — Packers atid Dealers 

White & Fleming. 244 

Paints, Oils and Glass 

Buff, August 152 

Butt & Neville. ,..,.,,. ,72 

Lattghorne & Bilisoly 116 

Rutter» John W 938 



CONTENTS 



285 



Page 
Peamit Cleaners and Dealers 

Norfolk Storage Company, The 190 
Photographers 

Turner, AM 116 

Pianos and Organs 

Crump & Anderson 78 

Hume, R G & Bro 66 

Pile Driving 

Culpepper, HE 146 

Planing Mills 
S^-if Mills — Saw and Planing. . . . 

Plaster 
See Cement, Lime and Plaster 

Pluriibei's and Carpentei's' Material 

Si?^ Carpenters' & Plumbers' Material 

Vliwilnng and Gas-Fitting 

Alexander & Powell 88 

Voitltiy, Pggs, ar'e 

Minter&Ballance 136 

Moore, A W 130 

Owens, JT&AB 64 

P? if! ting — J'od and Booh 

Fiske, Wm A 100 

Purdie, George W & Co 142 

Fi/mps 

Massingham, John 184 

Railroad Companies 

Atlantic Coast Line 76 

New York, Phila. & Norfolk. . 216 

Norfolk & Ocean View 262 

Norfolk & Western 78 

Norfolk Southern 40 

Seaboard Air Line 52 

Seaboard & Roanoke 16 

.Railroad Supplies 
Butt & Neville 72 



Page 
Real Estate and Rental Agents 

Rustic & Brooks , 140 

Watson & Riddick 108 

Williams & Emmerson 88 

Young, EO 32 

Saw-Mills 
Sf^ Mills — Saw and Planing. . . . 
Saw- Mill Supplies 

Butt & Neville 72 

Schools and Colleges 

Culpepper, Mrs Sadie .1 140 

High School for Young Ladies. 72 

•lenkins, Mrs Alice H 73 

King, Joseph 106 

Manning, S C 56 

Preparatory School for (jirls and 

Boys 140 

Portsmouth Grammar and iiigh 

School 150 

Portsmouth Primary School. ... 56 

Staples, V S 56 

Stokes, W H 150 

Stokes, Miss E J 150 

Suffolk Military Academy 106 

University of Virg nia 173 

Scroll- Sawing, Turning, 8ze 

Godwin, LC 134 

Seeds 

Buff, August , 152 

Langhorne & Bilisoly 116 

Owens, Edwin W 140 

Sezving Machines 

White, W N 86 

Shell Lime 

Nottingham,. Wrenn & Styron. . 206 

Ship and Steamboat Agents 

WmLamb&Co 78 



286 



CONTENTS 



Page 

S/imgles, 8ic 

Armstrong, G & Son 34 

Neely, R .1 & Co 54 

Nottingham & Wrenn . ... 206 

S/iip Cliandlery 
Butt & Keville.. 72 

'ahip Stores, he ' 

Culpepper, HE 188 

Friedlin, AC 182 

?>hipivriglits 
Thomas, John L 42 

Shoes and Boots 
'Ssee Boots and Shoes •••■.•. 

Smokers' Articles 

Carson, J R 188 

Shannon, H A 122 

Soda and Mineral Water 

Howe, Geo W, & Co. .., 180 

■ Spannakers 

Thomas, John L. .. 42 

Specific Remedies 

"Molene" 114 

Valentine's Meat Juice. ...... 212 

Spokes — White Oak and Hickory 

Reed, James W 112 

Sporting Goods 
White, W N 86 

Stationery , &c 

Criimp & Anderson 72 

Hume.R G & Bro. 66 

Staples, R G 158 

Staves, &c 

Peters & Reed . . 144 

Stcamb»at Supplies 

Butt & Neville 72 

Steain-Coal — Wholesale 

Castner & Co, Agents 78 

Lamb, Wm &, Co, Agents. * ... 7§ 



Page 

Steamship and Steamboat Lilies 

Albemarle (^ Chesapeake Canal 96 
Baltimore Steam Packet Co. . . 20 
Chesapeake & Delaware Canal 96 

Clyde's Steam .Lines... 50 

Dismal Swamp Canal & Stm'rs 208 
Old Dominion Steamship Co. ■. 38, 

Stoves and Tiniuare 

Alexander & Powell -88. 

Howell, B F..,-... .'. 88 

Massingham, John 184 

Myers & Daougherty. . . .. . .'i ' 180 

Staples, R G 158 

Stoves, Oil • 

Alexander & Powell. ' 88 

Hughes, WH 158' 

Summer Resorts ■ 

Ocean View • ■ • 262' 

Ticket Agents 

Williams, WVH....... 30; 

Tobacco, • Cigai s,. Sic , 

Anderton, I N. 174 

Browne. F G 228 

Carson, J R '.......; l8& 

Daughtrey, C L 188 

Ellenor & Brinkley 120 

Fentress, W A ; .' 163" 

Howe, George W Co 180 

Hyselop, L K. . . ., 176 

Owens, Edwin W.. ...'...... . 140: 

Pace, J F : iM 

Parker. J T & Bro. 136" 

Rutter, John W. 228 

Shannon, HA 122 

Smith, J 118 

Whitehurst, J & G 90 

Williams, Arthur R. . . 182 

Williams, David E. ..,.<. . . . 104i 



CONTENTS 



287 



Toilet Atricks 

See Drugs, &c 

Toys, Fireiuorks, &e 

Mulholland, C &L 188 

Trunks, Sec 

Brandt, Adolph 64 

Howell, BF 88 

Mclntyre Bros & Seelinger. . . . 186 
Umbrellas, Sac 

Scott & Flemming 152 

Undertakers 

Gaskins & Sturtevant 138 

Johnson, Wm B 170 

Scott & Flemming 172 

Wagon Builders 

Sullivan, D 132 

Wagon Planks, 'Shuttle Bhcks, Szc 

Reed, James W 113 

Wate/ies, Clocks, &c 

Crawford,.! S 196 

Howell, B F 88 

Rauschert, Edward 116 

Sherwood, C S 63 

Water Frontages 
Schmoele, Dr Wm, Jr 300 



Page 
Wharf Building 

Culpepper, HE 146 

Wi'i^s, Liquors, dr'c 

Daughtrey, C L 188 

Mahoney, T & E 129 

Pace, J F.: 166 

Smith, T 118 

Williams, Arthur R 182 

'Windo7v S/iadez, Cornices, ^c 

Crump & Anderson 72 

Kaufman, John C 103 

Mclntyre Bros & Seelinger. . . . 186 

Owens, B H 58 

Phillips & Nash 98 

Wire Fence Manufcutureis 

Frey Bros 110 

Wood 

Niemeyer & Co 64 

Watts, Wm H 176 

Whitehurst, J & G , 90 

Wilkins, H B 94 

'Wooden andWi\\o7v Ware 

Howell, BF 88 

W ood-'iVorMng Wackinety 

Godwin, LC 134 



V 



E- 



